From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 23, 1986:

• The flu season in the area had not yet become as bad as some health officials had predicted. “Not much real flu yet,” was the opinion of family practitioner Dr. Robert Hughes. Two types of flu were expected to hit the U.S. this year, a routine strain and a later strain referred to as the Taiwan flu. Elderly people and those with chronic ailments were encouraged to get flu shots.
• Holiday break started for Lawrence schoolchildren and teachers today. They were to be reunited on Jan. 5.
• Many Kansas University basketball fans were planning to travel to Hawaii to watch the Jayhawks play in the Rainbow Classic this weekend. Kansas Gov.-elect Mike Hayden and several family members were also making the trip. The nine-day trip had been paid for by Hayden’s father as a gift to the family as a reward for their hard work during the recent election.