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HINT OF AUTUMN THIS WEEKEND
AccuWeather.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – August 8, 2008 – AccuWeather.com reports unusually cool, dry air spreading across the eastern half of the country this weekend will make it feel more like September than early August.
Conditions forecast for this weekend from the Great Lakes to the Deep South can be described simply as splendid. Cool, dry Canadian air will spread behind a cold front today that will plunge almost to the Gulf Coast.
The absence of humidity will be a welcome relief across the Southeast, where steamy conditions are the rule in mid-summer. Daytime heating will result in near normal temperatures; however, the dry air will make it feel much more comfortable.
The big difference will be felt at night, when it is going to feel more like late September. Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet says overnight, low temperatures "will be in the 50s as far south as western South Carolina and the mountains of Tennessee."
Kocet adds, "It's going to be even colder tonight around the lower Great Lakes. Lows in the rural areas of western New York and Pennsylvania could dip into the 40s."
[8/8/08]
DOLLY NEARING HURRICANE STRENGTH
Dolly Nearing Hurricane Strength
Oil and Ag Concerns in Gulf
 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – July 22, 2008 – The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is nearing hurricane strength as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico toward landfall early on Wednesday near the Texas - Mexico border. The gathering storm has raised concerns in the oil and agriculture industries.
The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to reach hurricane strength today as it moves over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a strong possibility it could reach Category 2 strength, with winds of 100 mph, before making landfall early on Wednesday near the mouth of the Rio Grande River.
Oil Production Impacts
The storm is not expected to have a major impact on oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf; however, several oil companies have begun to evacuate some rigs and platforms.
 Exxon Mobil spokeswoman Margaret Ross tells AccuWeather.com nonessential personnel have been evacuated from company facilities expected to be in the path of the storm. She adds there has been minimal impact on production.
Royal Dutch Shell on Sunday and Monday evacuated about 185 people from its operations in the western part of the Gulf. Meanwhile, the U.S. Minerals Management Service has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan team to monitor activities in the Gulf until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat.
Landfall Concerns
The strength of the storm by landfall will depend on its forward speed. On Monday, Dolly entered the Gulf at around 18 mph. Today, it has slowed to near 12 mph as it moves west-northwest across the Gulf.
“We are concerned that Dolly has the potential to cause damaging winds and life-threatening, widespread flooding across South Texas and northern Mexico. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are likely across the region with locally heavier amounts possible,” said AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologists Alex Sosnowski and Ken Clark.
The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning from the U.S. border to Rio San Fernando and a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch from Rio San Fernando to the U.S. border, while a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect south of Rio San Fernando to La Pesca. Anyone along the Gulf Coast, especially in the areas under hurricane warnings, should take immediate steps to protect life and property.
Hurricane-force winds will pound the coast of South Texas, while tropical storm-force winds will extend into the mid to upper Rio Grande Valley. In addition, a coastal storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normal tide levels can be expected, with the strongest surf striking the coast to the north of the eye.
Rio Grande Ag Impacts
Five to 10 inches of rain and locally higher amounts forecast for South Texas and northern Mexico could spark dangerous flash flooding that could threaten lives and property. The rain could have a major impact on agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley, the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in Texas, producing cotton, sugarcane, maize and a variety of sorghums. > Full Story. [7/22/08]
FAMIILY GROUP RESPONDS TO MCCAIN COMMENTS ON GAY ADOPTION
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO KARA SUFFREDINI, Director of
Public Policy FOR THE FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL
Senator McCain's comment in the New York Times on Sunday, July 13, stating,
"I think that we've proven that both parents are important in the success of
a family so, no, I don't believe in gay adoption" demonstrates a lack of
knowledge and understanding of the many kinds of families that exist in the
United States. The Family Equality Council, the national organization
working to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
families, is disturbed and disappointed that a presidential candidate would
make such a biased and ill-informed statement about the most "successful"
kind of family.
These are the facts about American families. According to the 2000 census,
the vast majority‹more than 75%‹of American households differ in structure
from two married, heterosexual parents and their biological children. We are
a nation of blended and multi-generational families, adoptive and foster
families, and families headed by single parents, divorced parents, unmarried
parents, same-sex couples and more. As an adoptive parent himself, McCain
should be well aware of this. As a presidential candidate, he should seek to
honor and support the many kinds of families that exist, rather than dismiss
the vast majority of households in this country as second-tier.
This is what is true about lesbians and gays raising children: 30 years of
scientifically valid research universally demonstrates that LGBT families
are just as nurturing for children's growth and development as heterosexual
families.
Our society¹s primary child welfare organizations, such as the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association and the National
Association of Social Workers, have all issued statements supporting
same-sex parents. The American Psychological Association has stated: "Gay
and lesbian parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide healthy
and supportive environments for their children."
All of which makes one wonder: What is the basis for Senator McCain¹s
position?
American families may be diverse, but have at least one thing in common‹we
want our children to be safe, healthy, happy and supported. When our
families are politicized, our ability to protect ourselves, each other and
our children comes under attack. After eight years of similarly baseless
attacks on our families, we hope that the next President of the United
States will honor and support the vast array of families that daily work to
raise happy, healthy and productive children. The Family Equality Council
has a proud history of educating political leaders about our families and we
welcome Senator McCain and others whose perspectives affect the most
personal aspects of our lives to contact us and get to know the loving
families he paints as "unsuccessful". > Full Story. [7/14/08]
PLEA AGREEMENT LOOMS IN THE AMANCIO MUDER CASE
Yuma, AZ – At the beginning of the Final Trial Management Conference (FTMC) scheduled for today, a highly unusual turn of events occurred. Instead of the FTMC going forward, the defense and prosecution requested a delay in anticipation of a plea agreement. Both sides indicated there were close to a settlement. > Full Story. [7/10/08]
ANTI-MARRIAGE AMENDMENT WILL APPEAR ON NOV. BALLOT IN ARIZONA
Washington- In the final hours of the state's legislative session on Friday, June 27, Arizona's State Senate narrowly approved a measure that will place a constitutional ban on marriage by gay and lesbian Arizonans before voters this fall. 16 senators, the bare minimum required to advance the measure, voted in favor of the referendum, which means voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to provide that only a union of a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Arizona. The measure passed the Arizona House in May. > Full Story. [7/7/08]
SEVERE STORMS IN MIDWEST AND PLAINS MAY RENEW FLOODING
Severe Storms in Midwest and Plains May Renew Flooding
State College, Pa. -- June 27, 2008 -- AccuWeather.com reported heavy thunderstorms will blast the Upper Midwest and central Plains today, threatening to renew dangerous flooding in the mid-Mississippi Valley.
A cold front diving down from Canada's Prairie Provinces today will ignite an outbreak of severe weather across the Upper Midwest and central Plains. The thunderstorms will erupt as incoming cooler air slices into the warm, moist air flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico. The presence of a strong jet stream will add to the instability in the atmosphere.
The strongest thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds, pounding hail, frequent lightning, and drenching downpours. The greatest threat for tornado development will be over the central Plains. The strongest storms later today will erupt from Wisconsin to eastern Kansas and Oklahoma.
Flash flooding will continue to be a concern today, especially in the flood-ravaged mid-Mississippi Valley as runoff fills small streams and floods low-lying areas. The storms this week are feeding more runoff into the larger rivers, slowing or reversing the receding water levels.
The Mississippi River is expected to rise to 38.6 feet Sunday evening at St. Louis, while the river will crest at 37.2 feet this afternoon in Winfield, Mo.
Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday tied its daily rainfall record of 1.43 inches set in 1937. Most of the rain fell in two hours, flooding a portion of Interstate 80 and city streets.
Showers and thunderstorms will persist across the Upper Midwest on Saturday as the potentially damaging thunderstorms shift to the lower Great Lakes and Tennessee Valley. Potentially damaging thunderstorms will shift into the East this weekend > Full Story. [6/27/08]
UPDATE: TORNADOES AND FLOODING IN THE PLAINS
 UPDATE: Tornadoes and Flooding in the Plains
State College, Pa. -- June 10, 2008 -- AccuWeather.com reported earlier today that severe storms erupting tonight over the Plains would not only bring new concerns for flooding, but would also spawn tornadoes.
Major cities in path of potentially destructive storms tonight include: Omaha, Topeka, Des Moines, Minneapolis and Wichita. On Thursday, the system and the same concerns will shift into the Midwest and middle Mississippi Valley. Areas likely to be targeted by the storms Thursday include: Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City and Tulsa.
"We expect this activity to continue at least until midnight over the Plains," AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said. "So far, there are 28 reported tornadoes from Minnesota to North Central Kansas. There are some feisty storms out there, so we can expect that number to double or even triple by the end of the night."
Feerick said there have been two confirmed tornado reports in Douglas County west of Omaha. Local Iowa press has reported that a tornado hit a scout camp in western Iowa, injuring 40 with possible fatalities.
Daytime heating added to the instability over the Plains. Tonight, severe storms containing heavy rain, large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes will erupt from western Oklahoma to Minnesota.
> Full Story. [6/12/08]
NO LET UP FROM STORMS OR HEAT TODAY
No Let Up from Storms or Heat Today
Flooding Threat Remains, Record Heat Will Ease by Midweek > Full Story. [6/10/08]
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