Week of March 8-19, 1986

The Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate to 7% from 7.5%.

The crew compartment of the space shuttle Challenger with the remains of its

astronauts are found 100 feet below the sea off the coast of Florida. But NASA

officials would not say if the entire crew was still inside.

The National Guard is called in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky after 20 tornadoes

sliced through the area, killing six people and injuring 100.

The United States, in a switch of policy, calls on Chile to halt persistent human

rights violations, including torture by security forces and police.

Spain votes to remain in NATO by a majority. It joined some four years ago.

President Reagan denounces a House-passed resolution calling on him to

negotiate a total ban on nuclear tests, saying it does not “serve the interests of

the United states, our allies and our friends” and would undercut his efforts to

make progress on the issue.

Downward oil prices help lower wholesale prices by 1.6% in February. Good

news.

President Reagan denies using his

influence to get interviews with his

daughter, Patti Davis, dropped from two

television shows but says he hopes she

“makes a lot of money’ from her

autobiographic book - “Home Front.”

She’s in a national tour to promote the

book, but has been dropped from shows

conducted by Joan Rivers (Tonight

Show) and Merv Griffin. Joan Rivers

said she changed her mind after she

read the book and felt, as a wife and

mother, she couldn’t do the interview.

Both Rivers and Griffin are good friends

with Nancy Reagan.

The Commerce Department says that

1985 was the worst trading year ever,

ringing up a $124.3-billin trade deficit.

Week of March 8-19, 1986

The nation’s unemployment rates soars by .6% to 7.2% in February - lots if it in

the service sector and weather related.

The Vietnamese government has informed Pentagon officials that it has located

an additional 21 remains believed to be those of missing Americans serviceman.

viral drug called azidothymidine (AZT) has been shown for the first time to reduce

fevers in AIDS patients, boost their immune systems and eliminate some

infections.

cable channel. Also, HBO signs Mike Tyson to a three-fight deal. First fight - May

20 from Madison Square Garden.

The National Football league adopts the use of instant replay for the 1986

season. They’ll use replays when there is indisputable evidence that an official’s

call was in error.

More NFL - The NFL outlaws headband and wristbands with personal or

commercial messages.

seconds.

Entertainment news -

Passing - Actor Ray Milland (78). Of

cancer.

Television news -

HBO will show “Comic Relief,” a March

29 benefit for America’s poor and

homeless. The show will originate from the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood

and will be hosted by Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal.

Among the comedians and actors scheduled to participate - Peewee Herman,

Michael J. Fox. Buddy Hackett, Joe Piscopo, Carl and Rob Reinder, Martin Mull,

David Steinberg. Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, Howie Mandel, Gilda Radner

and Weird Al Yankovic.

Week of March 8-19, 1986

The Movie Channel announces its new “VCR Theater” - aimed at those who can

videotape movies while they’re asleep. But, do the studios like the taping of their

movies? The home entertainment software business is a $12-billion-a-year

business.

An 800 number will be on display for the three-hour event.

More cable - Dabney Coleman is back -

The Arts & Entertainment Network just

picked up all 27 episodes of “Buffalo Bill” -

the NBC series that ran in 1984.

Don’t miss the Easter Seal Telethon (Sat -

March 8) - hosted by Pat Boone and

Donna Mills.

Tuesday night television

Annual People Choice Awards,

NBC - The A-Team, Hunter, Stingray, Tonight, David Letterman

ABC - Who’s The Boss? Growing Pains, Moonlighting, Spenser: For Hire,

Nightline, The Barbour Report

PBS - Nova

HBO - The Hitchhiker, Benny Hill Unleashed

Debut - Stingray - Stars John Mancuso.

People’s Choice Awards - John Denver hosts.

Tonight Show - John Voight and Jennifer Rush join Johnny.

David Letterman -Gregory Hines guests.

Week of March 8-19, 1986

Week of March 8-19, 1986