Connecticut officials are making preparations for any problems caused by Hurricane Earl, which has already prompted evacuations in North Carolina's outer banks. Governor Rell held conference calls yesterday with state and city emergency officials about the state's readiness. Officials are monitoring the storm and are prepared to take action if needed.  

The hot and humid conditions are expected to create unhealthy air quality in Connecticut today and tomorrow.  The state Department of Environmental Protection is forecasting elevated concentrations of ground level ozone in six of Connecticut's eight counties.  The air quality is expected to improve on Friday with the arrival of the approaching tropical system associated with Hurricane Earl.  Residents are urged to take steps to improve air quality, and for people with respiratory disease or asthma to remain indoors in air conditioning.

A leading state economist is offering his take on the economy going forward.  Fairfield University economics professor Ed Deak also sits on the Governor's Economic Advisory Committee.  In his address tonight to the home builders and remodelers association of Fairfield County, Deak says he'll address the volatile housing market.  The meeting of the Fairfield County Home Builders and Remodelers Association gets underway at 7 p.m. from the Norwalk Inn.

The town of Greenwich will be dedicating a monument to victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.  The "Advocate" reports a bronze plaque will be dedicated September 12th at the Great Captains Island Lighthouse, which has been renovated.  The town had taken some hits in the past for its slowness in dedicating a memorial.  Officials say the purpose of a memorial is to make it more accessible.  A dozen people who lived in town and 14 with ties to Greenwich died in the attacks. 

No library tax in Stamford.  The "Advocate" reports Ferguson Library trustees have decided no to go ahead with a plan that would've seen residents paying a tax which would've gone toward paying down a million-dollar deficit.  The request to removal the proposal was made in a letter by the library board chairmen to the Board of Representatives.  The library took another financial hit when budget woes led to cuts in its budget.

A subcommittee of Norwalk's Zoning Commission will review plans for a mosque in the city on Thursday.  The "Hour" reports the mosque is being proposed for property on Fillow Street.  This comes on top of plans to review expansion of Norwalk Inn and Conference Center.  Al Madany Islamic center is proposing the mosque.  It would be a 27-hundred square foot facility consisting of a prayer hall, gym, library, and other space. 

Connecticut commuters you have been warned, starting today there are a slew of schedule changes that could change both the morning and afternoon rush.  Metro North says work on the electrical system and five bridges is forcing them to change things a round.  Commuters who travel during peak-hours may have to change trains or change the times they travel.

The investigation is continuing into a serious motorcycle accident in Westport over the weekend.  It was around 2:30 Saturday afternoon when police first received the call near 128 Beachside Avenue.  That's where the driver was found lying on the side of the road.  Investigators say the man, whose name was not released, was among a group of cyclists.  He apparently hit a mailbox and was thrown from the bike.  The victim was rushed to Norwalk Hospital.  No word on his condition.

Results from a survey suggest the majority of those who send their kids to Stamford public schools would be inclined to recommend the school system to others.  The "Advocate" reports 69-percent of those responding to the question on a ten-point scale said they'd do so.  In other words, schools Superintendent Joshua Starr notes level 7 respondents were in that most likely category.  There was an 11-percent increase in the number of respondents.  Over 48-hundred students, teachers, and other administrators responded to the survey.