Fay soaks Florida...Heavy Texas rains...Mexican peppers

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) Tropical Storm Fay is now eyeing southwest Florida after rumbling across Key West. Fay is expected to be a hurricane or near-hurricane by the time it reaches the mainland sometime tomorrow. So far, no reports of damage or injuries in Florida.

McALLEN, Texas (AP) Heavy rains in southern Texas have essentially isolated the city of Roma, some 210 miles south of San Antonio. Dozens of people have been rescued from their homes by boat. Parts of Starr County, Texas, got more than 13 inches of rain.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) There's still no sign that Russia is pulling its troops out of Georgia despite promising it would begin withdrawing them today. Secretary of State Rice says Moscow is playing a "very dangerous game." There are also signs Russia has moved short-range missiles into a disputed region.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Senator Susan Collins of Maine says she's been told the Navy will push to build a third stealth destroyer despite announcing last month that the program would be scrapped.

The Navy is said to be concerned about potential disruption of America's shipbuilding base.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) A top official at the Food and Drug Administration says Mexican peppers were not a concern before they were implicated in the recent Salmonella outbreak. But an AP analysis finds peppers and chilies were consistently the top Mexican crop rejected at the border in the past year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-18-08 1844CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list