Dalai Lama cancels world trip:

The Dalai Lama is suffering from exhaustion and has canceled his international travel for the next three weeks. His trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic have been put on hold for now. "His holiness the Dalai Lama has been experiencing some discomfort in the past couple of days," a statement on his Web site said. CNN

Fewer Americans lack health insurance:

The latest census shows that 45.7 million Americans were uninsured in 2007, down from 47 million in 2006. The decrease was a surprise, the number of uninsured Americans was expected to increase for the seventh straight year. NPR

Largest immigration raid in history:

The largest single workplace immigration raid in U.S. history has caused panics among many Hispanics families in Laurel, Miss., where federal agents rounded up about 600 plant workers suspected of being in the country illegally. About 100 of the 595 detained were released for humanitarian reasons. Many of the workers released were mothers who were fitted with electronic-monitoring bracelets and allowed to go home with their children. AP via FOX News

Hurricane Gustav to reach Category 3:

Eight people died in a landslide in the Dominican Republic Wednesday, raising Hurricane Gustav's death toll to 11. More than 5,000 people across the country have been evacuated as a result of Gustav, which is expected to turn into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane in the next couple of days as it enters the Gulf of Mexico. MSNBC/NBC

This just in ... a release from the Charlotte-based Girl Talk Foundation:

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. “Tailoring Teens For Success Program” Accepting Applications

Who: Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.—a non-profit organization empowering young girls between the ages 11-16 to become leaders.

What: “Tailoring Teens For Success,” a 10-week program focusing on managing anger, finance, etiquette, health/hygiene and self acceptance to name a few. Program is designed to build character, encourage positive and critical thinking, and develop leadership and life skills in young girls.  The curriculum also includes a one day college tour. Program is limited to 35 girls.

When: Saturday September 6, 2008 – Saturday November 8, 2008

10 consecutive Saturday’s; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Girls must attend at least eight sessions to complete curriculum.

Where: The University of Phoenix, 10925 David Taylor Drive, Room #105.

Cost: $50.00 per girl *scholarships are available* Applications available by visiting www.girltalkfoundationinc.com.

About Girl Talk Foundation, Inc.

Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves as a resource and network of support for young girls between the ages of 11-16. The mission of Girl Talk is to empower today’s girls to become leaders of tomorrow. The goals are to encourage positive and critical thinking, build character, promote self-respect, teach life skills and develop leadership skills. Annually, Girl Talk services about 700 girls through its various programs. Girl Talk was created by radio/TV personality Janine Davis, an 18-year veteran of the broadcasting industry.

Girl Talk Foundation, Inc. 801 East. Morehead Street, #105, Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-335-5885, www.girltalkfoundationinc.com.

It's becoming obvious why CMS can't raise its test scores.

The administration is stupid! With several main roads in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County flooded today, CMS decided to press on with school day number 3. Isn't Charlotte the city that has the billboards telling people don't drown, turn around? Isn't Charlotte the city that shuts down with half an inch of snow collecting on the grass? Why were children put at risk today to go to school and fill out paperwork?

This boneheaded decision should cost someone his or her job.

After a local DJ made it on a school bus as a prank, Dr. Peter Gorman, said parents needed to take responsibility for their children. Well, after Gorman put children on buses traveling down water logged roads, he needs to take responsibility for being an idiot.

Anybody catch the Democratic National Convention last night when, during the five-minute standing ovation preceding Sen. Hillary Clinton's speech, the camera caught her hubby Bill saying "I love you" over and over again. Bleecchhh. Yeah, as she basks in all that glory, he loves her.

Like a good journalist, I have diligently been watching the Democratic National Convention, but it has been hard to watch. I just cannot get excited about this convention, even though history is being made. Aside from the underwhelming speeches, with the exception of Ted Kennedy, I miss Tim Russert's commentary. His absence is glaring as we listen to commentators, some good, some bad, and most just mediocre. All pale in comparison to him. His dynamic presence, engaging personality and balanced approach to politics is gone, but not forgotten.

The following is the full text of the statement from the United Way's board of directors:

Those of us who live in the region served by the United Way of Central Carolinas are fortunate indeed. Our United Way has been one of the most successful in the country at raising money so that the more than 90 agencies we support throughout our region can provide essential services to those who need them most. Equally important, our United Way works very hard to make sure as many dollars as possible go to those in need.

As a community, we have all shared in this success as Charlotte has become known nationwide for its generosity ˆ exemplified by efforts such as last year's record-setting $45.3 million United Way campaign.

Unlike most grossly overpaid American CEO's, United Way honcho Gloria Pace King is getting the axe. Good, glad that's finally settled; now on to other news.

Monday's City Council meeting provided startling proof that some council members can be useless, clueless, and arrogant at the same time. Short version: Council was told about a poll initiated by city staff which found that Charlotteans believe local government does a good overall job, but does a lousy job of improving roads, cracking down on delinquent landlords, fighting crime, and making affordable housing available. Reaction from Council was, basically, "Who the hell cares?" First, Long John Lassiter said he doubted that ordinary citizens even knew what they were talking about, particularly in the area of housing codes and zoning. Then, fellow Republican Warren Cooksey, who has been part of the sparkling success of Wachovia's Wealth Management Group, essentially said the poll was useless because it merely "calculated perceptions." No one dared to tell Cooksey that calculating perceptions is precisely what all polls do. Seriously, if you want to know why local "leaders" spend time talking about parks on top of I-277 while our roads crumble and ordinary people can barely afford to live here anymore, tune in sometime to the sad, self-important charade that is a Monday night City Council meeting.

Ousted United Way of Central Carolinas CEO Gloria Pace King will continue to receive her $290,000 annual salary for two-and-one-third years unless the agency can find her private sector unemployment.

The agency's executive board voted unanimously this morning to ask chief executive officer Gloria Pace King for her resignation. Thirty-seven of 63 board members were at the morning meeting. She has until Sept. 30 to resign or be fired.

Board chairman Graham Denton at a noon news conference acknowledged King's compensation — about $1.2 million in salary, bonus and benefits last year — was "out of step" with community expectations.

"It was a culmination of breakdowns at a number of different levels," Denton said.

Denton said he was not aware of any large local employers threatening to withdraw from the annual workplace giving campaign unless the board took action.

Lord knows how this will shake out. The agency's annual giving campaign is just gearing up. Clearly the forced resignation is meant to mollify pissed-off donors, but how can you do that if you're still paying King a six-figure salary? Most United Way donors would be thrilled to get paid that kind of dough to leave their jobs