This week: Schools get their math grades

School may be out for most children, but a summer report card comes today. Districts statewide will release results showing how schools fared on state math tests that determine whether they are measuring up under No Child Left Behind. The reading results won't be released until November.

On Tuesday, Barack Obama's presidential campaign is opening more offices in North Carolina. It's the latest sign that North Carolina may actually see some action in the presidential race. Obama and John McCain are already running ads here.

OUR OLYMPIANS TO MEET BUSH

While Obama is on his trip abroad, President Bush will meet today with other contenders headed abroad -- the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

DEAN SCREAMS INTO N.C. ON FRIDAY

On Friday, the Dean of the Democrats comes to North Carolina: Howard Dean, the Democratic national chairman, visits as part of a national voter registration drive. Dean, the former Vermont governor and presidential candidate, began a 50-state tour last week in Bush's hometown of Crawford, Texas. Dean will be in Raleigh at 9 a.m., in Greensboro at noon and in Charlotte at 3:30. Details of locations were being worked out late last week.

Could the dog days of summer signal the end to the bear days of the economy? After an encouraging drop in the price of oil and a rise in stock markets last week, more economic indicators will be reported this week.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve releases its Beige Book, which describes economic conditions in parts of the country.

The Labor Department will issue its weekly report of initial jobless claims Thursday.

And Friday, the Commerce Department reports on durable goods orders, and the University of Michigan releases its reading on consumer sentiment.

Speaking of key indicators, the media's predictions for the ACC season are due today. Check newsobserver.com for the results. See a full report from the ACC's annual football meeting in today's Sports.

There'll be no relief from the heat after tropical storm Cristobal, which skirted the North Carolina coast Sunday but didn't come far enough inland to bring rain to the Triangle.

Heat will dominate the early part of the week until temperatures moderate Wednesday. Today's high is likely to approach 100 degrees. More of the same is in store for Tuesday. On the horizon: Tropical Storm Dolly.