From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 31, 1974:

• An article from the Associated Press today informed shoppers that “those funny little lines on cans of peas, soup and other grocery items” were “the signal for a new marketing technique that store officials claim will save money and time for shoppers and the industry.” Supermarkets were just beginning to try the system on a limited basis. According to the article, the Universal Product Code involved “the use of a scanner and computer designed to speed things up at the checkout counter and cut down on human errors.” Consumer opposition focused on the industry’s plan to ultimately eliminate price tags on individual items, with stores instead posting the price on the shelf directly above or below an item but not on the item itself.
• There was a hint in today’s weather forecast that moisture might be arriving soon to relieve the drought-weary Lawrence area. “The jet stream has moved,” said Roger Stanfast, Kansas University weather observer. “Things are probably going to be getting back to normal here pretty soon.” The jet stream, which normally brought Lawrence its summertime rain, had been stuck for weeks in a position north of the area. The towns of Baldwin and Tonganoxie were already restricting water use by their citizens. Lawrence utilities director Charles Baker said that the city’s tanks weren’t recovering to full capacity in the evenings, but that there was no immediate danger of a water shortage here. “We’re seeing a gradual decline due to the prolonged dry weather in our supplies,” Baker said, “but we’re still operating at safe levels.”