* US Power Grid Infiltrated
* Fred Hits 1M Subs
* Hiding Earmarks
* Fewer Hurricanes In 2009
* Kumar To White House

__________

These are the stories I am most interested in today:

• The U.S. power grid has been extensively mapped and compromised with leave-behind software. Says Dennis Blair, national intelligence director:  “A number of nations, including Russia and China, can disrupt elements of the U.S. information infrastructure.”
• YouTube sensation Fred passed the 1,000,000 subscriber mark yesterday. He is the first user to do that.
• Lawmakers sometimes follow the letter, not the spirit of the new earmark disclosure rule. While some are upfront on their web pages, others seem to hide earmarks behind catch-all pages like “other” and “legislation.”
• Researchers predict 12 named storms for the 2009 season. This is fewer than in 2008, which had 16. Colorado State University’s hurricane forecast team says six will be hurricanes, with two expected to be major. First name of the year: Ana.
• Kal Penn, who plays Kutner on the House cast, was killed off, to lead White House Office of Public Liaison. Penn, who is the second half of Harold and Kumar, says he is seeking “that balance between the arts and public service.” (Friend Kate Walsh pointed this out.)

Thanks for reading,

Brad