SERIOUS DROUGHT THROUGHOUT 26 UNITED STATES. Hot Weather Dries Up Half Midwest.
Unlike tornadoes, hurricanes and quakes, droughts could develop as a permanent condition.

2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMP PAIN INTENSIFIES. Obama Goes After Romney in VA.
The State of Virginia is up for grabs, representing 13 electoral college votes.

GWB COMMUTER CRUNCH SEASON. Prepare For Massive Traffic Backups.
$409 Million dollar construction and renovation project will likely continue for several months.

NYC CRACKDOWN BIKE DELIVERIES. Large Fine For Businesses.

The NYC SchoolFood Lunch Program is designed to provide children and young adults with a healthy alternative to junk food.

Lunch is available for all children under 19 years of age and all handicapped persons, regardless of age, who participate in special education programs. Breakfast will be served during the Learn to Swim Program at pools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Meals are free and provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through SchoolFood, a part of the New York City Department of Education.

City Islanders turned out in large numbers yesterday to honor another fallen hero. 75 year old William Clancy was a caring and giving gentleman, who worked for veterans and active members of our military. Mr. Clancy died of a heart attack on July 7.

Clancy served two years in the Army, from 1961-63, and served as a paratrooper instructor. Later on he work endlessly on behalf of The American Legion as NY Deputy Commander.

Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe today joined City Council Member Oliver Koppell, Congress Member Eliot Engel, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx Community Board 8 Chair Robert Fanuzzi, Bronx Community Board 8 Parks Committee Chair Bob Bender, and veterans and co-founders of the Memorial Grove Restoration Group Herb Barret and Don Tannen to cut the ribbon on restorations to the Van Cortlandt Park Memorial Grove. The Grove is located in Van Cortlandt Park along West 246th Street in between Broadway and the Van Cortlandt Mansion.

The United Nations officials are shocked at the latest report of 200 massacred in Syria. They are stressing that peace-building architecture holds tremendous potential to help make the transition from conflict to sustainable peace and development, top officials told the Security Council, while stressing the need to enhance the effectiveness of the tools available in this area.

The number 13 as well as the sixth day of the week have similar reputations said to date as far back as ancient times.

It seems their inevitable conjunction from one to three times a year, three of these occurrences in 2012 and exactly 13 weeks apart portends misfortune. According to some sources it's the most widespread US superstition.

Some refuse to work on Friday the 13th; some won't visit restaurants; others wouldn't think of setting a special event on this date.

JP MORGAN CHASE HAS LOTS OF EXPLAINING TO DO. Some Say CEO May Have To Go.
Dimon is no diamond and is in for rough times, as largest US bank reports a loss from a highly-publicized trading mistake has grown to $4.4 billion. This is more than double what was originally announced.

SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL. Paterno Legacy In Doubt?
A report is claiming that Penn State football coach concealed since 1998 what he knew about Sandusky's sexual abuse of children. This may may be an indelible stain, while some feel the late coach got a raw deal.

NO COMMENT BY SAUDIS. On Female Olympians.