Lawrence.com

Warming trend

Is spring finally here? It's starting to feel like it. Today's high of 63 and more needed showers will kick off what looks to be a great week of weather. By Wednesday, we'll be in the mid-70s with lots of sunshine through Saturday. Cross your fingers.

Follow the money

Fresh from the first $10 billion election campaign, two award-winning authors show how unbridled campaign spending defines our politics and, failing a dramatic intervention, signals the end of our democracy. From 4 to 5:30 p.m., The Commons in Spooner Hall, 1340 Jayhawk Blvd., hosts Robert W. McChesney for a free discussion of the book he co-authored, "Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media Election Complex is Destroying America." McChesney is research professor in the Institute of Communications Research and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Merciful conclusion

In the end, the Jayhawks weren't the only high seed sent packing. Far from it. And with an 8:10 p.m. tip-off, March Madness will mercifully end in Arlington, Texas, when either the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats or the No. 7 UConn Huskies take home the NCAA men's basketball National Championship. With a tourney as crazy as this one, it's likely your bracket's long since busted. CBS is broadcasting the game, and you can find more context here.

Yesterday's most-read

• Special report: Powering the prairie
• Police: Lawrence bank robber arrested in Nebraska after taking cab there
• She is Kawehi: One-woman band becomes Internet sensation

More April 7 events

Parking Open Forum, 2 p.m., Big 12 Room, Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lecompton City Council meeting, 7 p.m., Lecompton City Hall, 327 Elmore St.

Baldwin City Council meeting, 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 803 S. Eighth St.

Jazz and Pop Erin Bode and Group Concert, 7:30 p.m., McKibbin Recital Hall, Owens Music Building, Baker University Campus, 408 8th St., Baldwin.