A Kansas University team involved in an experiment planned aboard the space shuttle Columbia when it lifted off Nov. 28 was going to Germany to complete its work. Craig Dobson was the project manager.

Lecompton was again working to get federal funding of more than $300,000 for a renovation of its water system. This was the sixth attempt by the Douglas County community. The mayor said Lecompton was in his judgment the most populated center in Kansas without a working fire hydrant. He said the need for funds was urgent.

Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., said he was “worried sick” about the consequences of a federal debt so big that the annual interest payment in five or six years would consume $250 billion. He warned against “enormous deficits” that were accruing. He said that helped “not a single American” do anything productive.