25 years ago: Pipeline firm unlikely to lower prices for KU

Northwest Central Pipeline Corp. appeared unwilling to lower its prices. Officials said the firm was the key to lower costs for KU. But the pipeline firm said it was not interested in altering its current arrangement with Kansas Public Service, the local gas utility, to create lower prices for the university, which was carefully studying ways to cut costs.

Leading U.S. banks raised the prime lending rate by one-half of a percentage point to 13 percent, its highest level since October of 1982 and the fourth jump in four months. Analysts said they feared even more increases as concerns about soaring inflation persisted.

Dissatisfied with the Lawrence school district’s responses to the problem of overcrowded kindergarten classrooms, a local group mailed letters encouraging parents to lobby for more money to cut class sizes and increase staffing levels.

State officials indicated that cities trying to use industrial revenue bond incentives might soon find limits on such forms of “economic bait” for new industry and business.