Local churches were making elaborate arrangements for coming Easter week celebrations. Easter was to fall on April 19 in 1981.

The City Commission was preparing to discuss publicly a comprehensive plan and development standards for downtown Lawrence with the prospect for a shopping mall at the north end of Massachusetts Street.

Kansas University physics professor Glen McGonigle announced he was resigning his faculty post to run as a Republican candidate for the 45th District Kansas House seat held by Democrat John Solbach. McGonigle was 63.