Free Republic

S​ummer has a reputation for prolific rainfall totals in a short amount of time, and because of that, it's when many states have recorded their most extreme 24-hour rainfall records. Records for 24-hour rainfall in the United States range from less than 6 inches to more than 4 feet. Those amounts for each state are shown in the map below, which uses data compiled by NOAA's Centers for Environmental Information. The record for Kansas is under review by the State Climate Extremes Committee since the previously posted biggest total of 13.53 inches was found to be

WELLINGTON (BNO NEWS) -- Heavy snow fell in many parts of the North and South Islands of New Zealand on Monday, causing major disruption, closing schools, roads and airports, the local daily New Zealand Herald reported on Tuesday. Forecasters have said that more snow is expected to strike much of the country later on Tuesday, turning the novelty into far more treacherous conditions. The blizzards have already caused a number of car accidents as well as power outages in hundreds of houses which were left in very cold conditions. Meanwhile, severe disruptions are again expected on Tuesday for schools, businesses...

There was spirited celebration on the San Diego waterfront Monday morning after the vessel Vagabond returned from a long-range fishing trip into Mexican waters and offloaded the heaviest yellowfin tuna ever caught by an angler. The behemoth, landed by Mike Livingston of Sunland, Calif., weighed 405.2 pounds; it's girth was 61 inches and it measured nearly 86 inches from nose to tail. The catch, made on 100-pound-test line after nearly a three-hour fight, will be submitted to the International Game Fish Assn. for approval as an all-tackle world record. Capt. Mike Lackey said IGFA rules were followed so the catch...

<p>Educators bracing for financial disaster were somewhat relieved that the Senate budget plan -- which slashes about $2 billion in school funding -- isn't as damaging as they expected.</p> <p>The Senate plan passed Sunday preserves voter-approved minimum funding for schools and largely mirrors Gov. Gray Davis' budget blueprint issued in May. But the bill, which the Assembly was expected to consider as early as Monday evening, still cuts deeply into specific programs that provide summer school, reading assistance and textbooks for students.</p>