U.S. Top News: U.S. drought wilts crops as officials pray for rain

	Click to View in Browser 07/19/2012 U.S. drought wilts crops as officials pray for rain WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Oppressive heat and a worsening drought in the Midwest pushed grain prices near or past records on Wednesday as crops wilted, cities baked and concerns grew about food and fuel price inflation in the world's top food exporter. Energy, manufacturing fuel U.S. cities' economic growth: study (Reuters) - Cities will be leading contributors to U.S. economic expansion over the next year, and much of their growth will depend on energy and manufacturing, according to a study released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Thursday. Florida shooter Zimmerman says did not pursue Trayvon Martin MIAMI (Reuters) - George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, said on Wednesday he did not pursue the Florida teenager on the night he was fatally shot. Scalia says no fallout with Roberts over healthcare decision WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said there was no bad blood between himself and Chief Justice John Roberts, who stunned conservatives by voting to uphold President Barack Obama's healthcare law. Senator McCain stands by Hillary Clinton aide WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator John McCain publicly supported a senior Obama administration official in denouncing concerns by a group of House Republicans that her family may have connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, which they fear may be trying to gain access to high levels of the U.S. government. U.S. Navy's "Great Green Fleet" debuts in Pacific HONOLULU (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy's "Great Green Fleet," a group of warships and fighter jets burning an expensive blend of biofuels and petroleum, made its operational debut on Wednesday as the Senate prepared for a political fight over the program's cost. San Bernardino, California, sets course for bankruptcy SAN BERNARDINO, California (Reuters) - San Bernardino's city council on Wednesday declared a fiscal emergency, allowing the California community to file for bankruptcy protection without having to first hold talks with its creditors. U.S. recession's other victim: public universities NEW YORK (Reuters) - For generations, most college-bound Americans paid reasonable fees to attend publicly financed state universities. Southern Co CEO says nuclear loan guarantee less enticing NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS (Reuters) - Southern Co said on Wednesday it was willing to complete the first new U.S. nuclear reactors being built in three decades without federal loan support, as talks on an $8.3 billion loan guarantee drag on. Washington state first to launch Facebook voter registration SEATTLE (Reuters) - Washington will become the first U.S. state to allow eligible residents to register to vote through Facebook, in an initiative due to launch this month, Brian Zylstra, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office, said on Wednesday. Related Video Wealth Strategies: Biotech to heat up this summer-StockTwits Perfect storm for UK music festivals Great Debate The dying Russian bear strikes again A rare glimpse into the North Korean soul A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend