This week

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CORRECTION

A front-page item in Monday's paper listed an incorrect meeting day for the Wake County school board. The school board is scheduled to meet today.

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EYE ON THE SKY: HERE COMES FAY:

This week's weather watch is all about Fay -- or the odds that enough hard rain from its remnants make it to North Carolina and soak the parched western end of the state. So far, the wobbly tropical storm has struggled to maintain strength as it lashed Cuba; it may reach only minimal hurricane status by the time it's expected to strike Florida on Tuesday. A long slog toward the Old North State could leave Fay too tuckered to deliver much more than wind and rain to the Triangle by week's end. But forecasters warn it's way too early to dismiss Fay's destructive potential. See story on Page 7B. Catch the latest storm information at newsobserver.com.

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON ON PAKISTAN'S LEADER

In international news, reports persist that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will resign -- which he denies. He faces impeachment in a deeply divided nation considered critical to U.S. security. His departure might help calm the region but leaves open the challenge of how the U.S. can contain Pakistan-based militants who are aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. The past three months have been the deadliest for international troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.

ECONOMY ON OBAMA'S AGEBDA

Barack Obama will be in the Triangle on Tuesday to hold a town hall meeting on the economy at the Exposition Center of the N.C. State Fairgrounds. The backdrop to Obama's visit is the nation's sour economy and intensified speculation about his vice presidential nominee. He is running out of time as the Democratic National Convention prepares to open Aug. 25.

Here's one sure-fire bet on the VP choice: It won't be John Edwards. And one long-shot possibility, Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, is a Republican.

THE PUBLIC WANTS TO KNOW

GRILLMASTER: Today, Duke Energy CEO James Rogers appears before the N.C. Utilities Commission to defend the Charlotte-based utility's much-criticized Save-A-Watt conservation program. See story on Page 5B. Tuesday night, Orange County commissioners want Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass to answer questions about chronic overcrowding at his jail. See story on Page 1B.

WAKE SCHOOLS LEADER UP FOR A RAISE

On Wednesday, the Wake school board meets to decide what kind of raise to give Superintendent Del Burns.

GUILTY PLEA EXPECTED IN CYCLIST'S DEATH

In a case closely watched by area cyclists, Brian Reid, an N.C. State University student accused of running over and killing a cyclist, is expected to plead guilty Thursday in Wake County court to criminal charges. Nancy Leidy of Raleigh was killed April 23 when Reid's vehicle struck her at 11 a.m. The accident happened on Reid's 21st birthday.

AT LAST, ANSWERS ON MENTAL HEALTH

On Thursday, a legislative committee is expected to deliver a long-awaited report on what went wrong with the state's effort to reform its mental-health services.

CHANCE TO HEAR TIFT MERRITT LIVE

Top ticket this weekend: Tift Merritt at the N.C. Museum of Art, 8 p.m. Saturday.

AT THE WATER COOLER

The red-hot U.S. men's basketball team can lose a meaningless game against Germany today to end pool play. It must sweep three more starting Wednesday to bring home the gold.