From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 19, 1986:

• A major outbreak of whooping cough was spreading across Douglas County, with 97 cases confirmed in Lawrence, Lecompton, Eudora and Baldwin. This was more than double the 41 cases that had been reported five days previously. “The best thing so far is that most of the children that have gotten it have been vaccinated and they have gotten very mild cases. We have not had to admit anybody to the hospital,” said Lawrence pediatrician Dr. Terry Riordan.
• In Washington, Congress had failed to approve $10 million in funds sought for the planned south Lawrence trafficway. The money had been caught in a battle between House and Senate on another part of the bill which involved raising the speed limit on some rural interstates to 65 mph. A stalemate on the speed-limit issue had meant that the bill had not been passed before adjournment. However, Lawrence funds were expected to be included in the next highway measure that would come before Congress.