[April 27th, 1986] The Providence Sunday Journal's annual popularity contest saw Gary Ley defeat John Ghiorse for top weatherman. Doug White remains the news king, while Frank Carpano is the top vote-getter. The poll's top shows, like The Cosby Show, closely mimic Nielsen ratings.

[April 27th, 1986] Verena Loewensberg, a prominent Swiss painter and graphic designer, died in Zurich. She was 73 years old. Here are some of her works:

[April 27th, 1986] Alain Prost secured a dramatic victory at the San Marino Grand Prix despite his McLaren nearly running out of fuel on the final lap. He finished just ahead of Nelson Piquet, who moved into a tie for the championship lead. This win marks Prost's 22nd career Grand Prix victory.

[April 27th, 1986] Soviet authorities ordered the temporary evacuation of the city of Pripyat, just two miles from Chernobyl and home to nearly 50,000 people. Residents are told to leave with only two hours’ notice and a single suitcase.

[April 27th, 1986] Soviet helicopters conducted over 1,800 sorties to drop 5,000 tonnes of sand, clay, lead, boron, and dolomite onto Chernobyl's reactor No. 4. The goal was to extinguish the graphite fire, seal the core, and prevent radioactive leaks.

[April 27th, 1986] Slight increases in radiation levels were detected near Sweden's Forsmark nuclear power plant. Officials believe the source is a radiation leak in Chernobyl carried by the wind. While the levels were harmless, they were high enough to trigger alert procedures.

[April 27th, 1986] Kiev doctors on the way to Chernobyl

[April 26th, 1986] Colorful covers of today's magazines

[April 26th, 1986] Hoss Funk & Jimmy Hart Los Angeles promo

[April 26th, 1986] Genichiro Tenryu v Ted DiBiase NWA United National Title

[April 26th, 1986] President Reagan is traveling to the Tokyo Economic Summit, including a stop in Honolulu. He emphasized the U.S. role as a Pacific power in seeking the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia. Secretary Shultz also suggested tighter economic sanctions against Libya.

[April 26th, 1986] This week's music charts. Van Halen’s seventh album "5150", their first album with Sammy Hagar, hit #1 in the US for the first of three weeks on the strength of the lead single "Why Can’t This Be Love".

[April 26th, 1986] Today's Peanuts comic by Charles Schulz

[April 26th, 1986] Portland Police Deputy Chief Thomas J. Potter has requested and received a demotion to captain. This is his second such request in a year. Potter is also set to testify before a commission investigating Chief Harrington's reorganization of the bureau and her personal conduct.

[April 26th, 1986] Filming continues in San Francisco for "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."

[April 26th, 1986] Nellie Breen, an American comedian and dancer, passed away at the age of 89 in San José, California

[April 26th, 1986] Carol Burnett and veteran comrade in comedy Tim Conway share yet another laugh during a gala birthday party for Burnett at night in Los Angeles at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.

[April 26th, 1986] Axl Rose and Tracii Guns joined Shark Island at Gazzarri's on the Sunset Strip, where Axl performed a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock N' Roll".

[April 26th, 1986] The American thrash metal band Anthrax performed at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. This show was part of their Spreading the Disease Tour.

[April 26th, 1986] Actor Gordon Thomson plays the appalling Adam Carrington on ABC's Dynasty. While his character is a sleaze, Thomson is a nice guy. He recently visited a local animal shelter and adopted two dogs, a Labrador mix and a collie mix. (TV Guide)

[April 26th, 1986] Will Clark hit a 10th-inning home run to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 win over the Padres. Despite striking out a career-high 13 batters, Padres pitcher Eric Show took the loss. The Giants' Jeff Robinson earned the victory after overcoming a ninth-inning threat.

[April 26th, 1986] Broderick Crawford, the Academy Award-winning actor from All the King's Men, has died at age 74. He was most famous for starring in the television series Highway Patrol. He passed away at Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Springs after suffering a series of strokes.

[April 26th, 1986] Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes spoil Mike Von Erich's return from his battle with Toxic Shock Syndrome

[April 26th, 1986] Mike and Chris Von Erich, right before Mike was attacked by The Freebirds. 16 year old Chris would make the save for his older brother.

[April 26th, 1986] Connie Claussen officially launched the first Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO).

[April 26th, 1986] The Houston Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0. Billy Hatcher scored the winning run in the ninth inning on a passed ball by Bo Diaz. Mike Scott pitched a complete game, striking out five and allowing only four hits. Bill Gullickson took the loss for Cincinnati.

[April 27th, 1986] Reactor 1 and  2 remained offline (shut after midnight), and no evacuation of Pripyat had yet occurred. Authorities still referred only vaguely to an “accident” the previous night.

[April 26th, 1986] The Houston Rockets took a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals with a 126-119 win over the Denver Nuggets. Despite a sluggish start, Akeem Olajuwon dominated with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

[April 26th, 1986] The California Angels overcame a five-run deficit to defeat the Minnesota Twins 7-6. Wally Joyner hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to secure the win. The game was briefly delayed when a thunderstorm ripped the Metrodome roof.

[April 26th, 1986] Sammy Swindell won the 20-lap World of Outlaws sprint car feature at Knoxville Raceway. Brad Doty finished second, followed by Jac Haudenschild in third. The event saw approximately 6,000 spectators on a track that the winner described as being at its best.

[April 26th, 1986] A Prairie Home Companion

[April 26th, 1986] Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana

[April 26th, 1986] CWA (Memphis) Championship Wrestling

[April 26th, 1986] "Johnny B on TV" is a TV special featuring Jonathan Brandmeier, premiering on WBBM. The star-studded cast includes Otis Day, Danny Partridge, Buzz, and "Piranha Man." It features backstage interviews from Comic Relief and music from the Leisure Suits

[April 26th, 1986] NWA World Championship Wrestling

[April 26th, 1986] The Spelman College Board of Trustees voted to fully divest the school's endowment from all South African holdings. This decision refines a previous policy and follows significant pressure from students.

[April 26th, 1986] he World Wrestling Federation (WWF) held a massive sell-out house show at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The event drew a crowd of approximately 21,000 fans, with an additional 5,000 watching via closed-circuit television at nearby Cobo Hall.

[April 26th, 1986] Jerry Hairston's sacrifice fly in the 11th inning secured a White Sox victory over the Detroit Tigers. This win marked Chicago's fourth straight victory after a poor start to the season. Manager Tony LaRussa praised Hairston's exceptional ability as a pinch hitter.

[April 26th, 1986] Today's Calvin and Hobbes comic

[April 26th, 1986] The Reagan administration has not commented on reports that President Reagan may nominate William Gibson, a Texas bank official, to the Federal Reserve Board. Gibson would replace Preston Martin. Additionally, Manuel Johnson is expected to be named the new vice chairman.

[April 26th, 1986] Darrell Green of the Washington Redskins was named the NFL's fastest man after winning a 60-yard dash in 6.12 seconds. He edged out Willie Gault of the Chicago Bears to take first place and $20,000.

[April 26th, 1986] The Piasecki PA-97 Helistat made its first successful free flight at the Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. This experimental heavy-lift aircraft was a hybrid concept that combined the static lift of a helium blimp with the dynamic lift and thrust vectoring of helicopters.

[April 26th, 1986] The state commission led by Academician V. Legasov arrived in the Chernobyl area. They were surprised by the graphite debris and initially unaware it was burning.

[April 26th, 1986] Promo for Baseball's Game of the Week

[April 26th, 1986] Cliff Leeman (born Clifford Leeman), a prominent American jazz drummer, passed away in New York City. He was 72. Known by the nickname "Mr. Time" for his impeccable timekeeping, Leeman was a highly respected figure in the swing and big band eras.

[April 26th, 1986] Big Black’s fireworks are set off at Irving Plaza

[April 26th, 1986] Hillbilly Jim & Ted Arcidi vs BJ Studd & KK Bundy Championship Wrestling

[April 26th, 1986] The Mets secured their eighth straight victory with a 4-3 win over the Cardinals. After a dominant performance by Sid Fernandez, the Cardinals mounted a ninth-inning comeback attempt. However, a double play by Wally Backman and Rafael Santana preserved the lead.

[April 26th, 1986] Ted Arcidi (WWE) vs Big John Studd

[April 26th, 1986] Haitian police opened fire on a crowd of 10,000 people following a procession to the Fort Dimanche prison. The incident left six people dead and at least 21 wounded. Protesters had gathered to commemorate murders from 1963.