Anthony to Go Free Wednesday

ORLANDO, FL - Floridian Casey Anthony was convicted for four counts of misleading police on Tuesday in a shocking verdict in which many believed Anthony would receive the death penalty. Sentencing was determined today at the same Orlando courthouse.

Since she has already served three years in prison awaiting her trial, her sentence was reduced from four years (one year for each count) to just six days and four thousand dollars. According to public court papers, she was also charged just over six hundred dollars for court costs and fees, totalling at just over $4,600, a sum that seems a mere slap on the wrist compared to the verdict many Americans believed would hand Anthony a death penalty.

Libyan Rebels Nearing Tripoli

BENGHAZI - Libyan rebels inched ever closer to Tripoli today as they captured the small town of al-Qawalish, a town of about 4,000 residents and just 31 miles southwest of Moammar Gadhafi's capital. One rebel fighter reported that 50 of Gadhafi's soldiers were killed and 15 were captured. In recent weeks, fierce fighting has erupted in the western mountainous region as battle after battle has not yielded a decisive victory for either end of the conflict.

Many Libyan rebels report that they now intend to move north, closer to the Mediterannean. They intend to march into and capture the pro-Gadhafi stronghold of Garyan which lies on the main highway to Tripoli.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations, France has acknowledged the possibility of arming the rebels in an effort to help overthrow the long-time Libyan dictator. But French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet announced that weapons no longer seemed necessary, deciding that the rebels are becoming more and more "autonomous". But debate over French intervention in Libya continue in New York.

South Korea to Host 2018 Winter Olympics

PYEONCHANG, S. KOREA - The South Korean bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics narrowly won the oppurtunity to host the event today. They just barely escaped the grasps of their final two opponents, which were Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France.

The city narrowly failed its two previous bids in 2010 and 2014, losing by only three votes to last year's Vancouver, Canada, and 2014's Sochi, Russia. This is South Korea's first oppurtunity to host the Olypmics since 1988, when Seould hosted the Summer games.

Massive Dust Storm Hits Arizona

PHOENIX - Mounds of flights were delayed Tuesday night, as a large dust storm enveloped populous areas of Arizona, reaping low visibility and breathing problems among the state's residents. According to the National Weather Service, the raging dust/sand storm, or haboob, can soar thousands of feet high, and typically occurs over desert land.

Angered travelers at nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were required to wait an hour and fifteen minutes as the Federal Aviation Administration was prompted to put a stop to all air traffic and takeoffs at the airport.

It is reported that the storm sustained winds of up to 69 miles per hour, and stretched across 30 miles of the Arizona landscape. More than 10,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm, reports Arizona Public Service spokeswoman Jenna Shaver.

ANTHONY VERDICT ANNOUNCED

ORLANDO, FL -Yesterday at 2:15 Eastern Standard, the long-awaited verdict was announced for the controversial Casey Anthony case. The trial had been going on for six weeks before the end finally came yesterday. Anthony was being charged with seven criminal counts, including first degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

The entire courtroom held their breath as the clerk went down the list of charges against Anthony. After less than an unexpected 11 hours, the jury reached their final verdict, and Anthony shockingly pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, or aggravated child abuse. She was, however, convicted of four misdemeanor counts of lying to the police. Sentencing is set for Thursday.

Public reaction was far one-sided, as a massive amount of social networkers immediately lashed out at Anthony, the judicial system, as well as the jury. One Twitter member posted: "This is a sick and disappointing ending to the Casey Anthony trial." Another posted: "If Casey Anthony is not guilty, then who is?" Another outraged Facebooker posted: "Watch your back at all times Casey Anthony someone will make sure justice is served."

Celebrities also gave their thoughts on the controversial verdict. Actor Rainn Wilson sarcastically tweeted, "Dear Florida, THANK YOU for freeing Casey! She's now available for partying and babysitting!" Kim Kardashian tweeted, "WHAT!!!!???!!!! CASEY ANTHONY FOUND NOT GUILTY!!!! I am speechless!!!"

So is the jury, who refused to address the media.

This Week in History

Monday - July 4th
PHILADELPHIA, 1776 - American revolutionaries now known as the Founding Fathers declare independence from Great Britain.

Tuesday - July 5th
SOJONG, S. KOREA, 1950 - Pvt. Kenneth Shadrick, from Skin Fork, WV, becomes the first American fatality of the Korean War.

Wednesday - July 6th
CHICAGO, 1933 - The MLB's first perennial All-Star Game is held at Comiskey Park.

Thursday - July 7th
NEVADA, 1930 - Construction on the Hoover Dam begins in Clark County.

Friday - July 8th
PARIS, 1951 - The capital city of France celebrates its 2000th birthday, although it was most likely founded in 250, BC.

Saturday - July 9th
WASHINGTON, DC, 1850 - US President Zachary Taylor dies unexpectedly while in office. The official cause of death is still disputed today by historians.

Sunday - July 10th
LONDON, 1940 - The Germans begin the first in a long series of bombing raids against Great Britain, as the Battle of Britain, which will last three and a half months.

Djokovic Emerges Champion at Wimbledon

LONDON - Yesterday, Serbian-born Novak Djokovic took home his first grass-court trophy from the All England Club as he took down the defending champion, Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic simply dominated at certain stretches, emerging with a final victorious score of 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 to win his third career grand slam. Perhaps most shocking was his post-victory celebration, when he crouched down, ripped blades of grass from Centre Court and shoved them into his mouth.

"I felt like an animal," he later told reporters. "I wanted to see how it tastes. It tastes good."