From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Jan. 4, 1974:

Kansas legislators were predicting a few hot issues for the 1974 session opening next week. Constitutional amendments concerning liquor-by-the-drink and gambling were almost sure to make their annual appearance, and advocates of bingo were predicted to continue their vocal opposition to the striking down of a law intended to circumvent the state’s ban on lotteries. Legislative forecasts also included a strong chance of discussion of the Kansas abortion law (considered by some as far too liberal) and of the death penalty for specific crimes. Another issue gaining interest for Kansans was a proposed motor vehicle inspection law which would require cars to be inspected when new, when changing ownership, and when involved in accidents.

A man who had walked away from a Kansas State Prison weight-lifting team exhibition in Lawrence on Dec. 8 had been recaptured during an attempted armed robbery in Kansas City. Robert Lewis Jackson, 30, had been serving a 15-year-to-life sentence for aggravated robbery in Wyandotte County when he had walked away from the Lawrence event. Kansas City police said Jackson had been arrested during an armed robbery attempt at the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store in the Country Club Plaza.