Just in from the AP wires,

NEW YORK — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday switched his party status from Republican to unaffiliated, a stunning move certain to be seen as a prelude to an independent presidential bid that would upend the 2008 race.

The billionaire former CEO, who was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the GOP for his first mayoral run, said the change in voter registration does not mean he is running for president.

Why else would he do it? And do it now? And who else will take the plunge?

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What is it with cats and crimes these days? First, there was an orange cat in the last Soprano’s episode. And in a life imitating art moment, a cat appears in the drug bust coverage of the Hour. But first, the drug bust

The Special Services Division nabbed alleged gang member Eric Frank, 19, of 28 Center Ave., at about 1 p.m. Monday after investigating him for one and a half years. Police said Frank goes by the street name “Ace.”

“He was it. He was the top dog,” said Special Services Officer Mark Suda. “He basically took over and became the leader of the drug side of (the West Side gang).”

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This is a companion post to the earlier one about middle school performance. In this Hour artcile, West Rocks Principal Lynne Moore is reported to have said:

West Rocks Principal Lynne Moore said she did not have data as to whether test scores have improved since the policies have been implemented.

Funny how she says that knowing that West Rocks, as reported in the other article scored the lowest.

But here’s what Norwalk teachers are saying about Corda’s proposed let’s keep them moving through the system promotion policy changes.

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Amanda Pinto writes in the Hour a nice article about middle schools. The lead graf:

As the school year ends today and eighth-graders rush from their classrooms, some will be more prepared for high school than others.

In a trend Irene Sikorski, English department chairman at Norwalk High School, said she has seen grow over the past few years, preparedness seems increasingly dependent on which middle schools students are promoted from.

Shocking isn’t it? In Sal Corda’s centralized so we don’t have to think administration there is a noticeable difference in performance. This must come as a shocker to Corda. Because the only conclusion that can be drawn is that some schools are run by better principals and better teachers than others.

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The Courant is reporting the a budget deal was struck late Monday night. From the sketchy details emerging, and I’ll have mroe later, it seems that the new budget is the same old budget with few tweaks. Details are still under wraps but some were leaked to the Courant:

The deal, which the House and Senate must still ratify, calls for keeping the popular property tax credit at the current maximum of $500, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

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