1. With merit raise week (likely) upon us, stories are making the rounds that many raise recipient names were circulating as early as last week.  It seems 2 of the newspapers already have some of the names, though it is unlikely anything will be done with that info.  Thanks grapevine.

2. SFT & Co's response to the FOIA surrounding the mid-year raise was delay, delay, delay some more, then release all of the information.  gorod has info indicating that when the soon-to-be FOIA comes regarding this merit raise, there will be less delay in responding, but also less revelation of all the facts.  SFT & Co believe a partial reveal is a winnable deal since they believe that PB will have to come down from Jackson to dig up the rest.  In their minds, PB is "on the team.." and will not likely come "down."  Thanks insider and ntsft.

3. Got a package from envelope on the HD legal troubles in the CBED.  Will offer a full report in a future mill.  Thanks envelope.

4. On the heels of info suggesting that RG is a short-timer in Athletics, stories are gaining legs that SFT plans to install a (newly arrived) current member of the "USM family" as his replacement.  With the installation, SFT will "have complete control" over Athletics.  Thanks baller and mclubber.

5. With this month's merit raise, ntsft reports that for some this will be the third raise (not counting promotions, MIDAS, etc.) received in the past 19 months.  Some individual's salaries will have grown over 40% during these last 19 months.  Thanks ntsft.

6. bunson indicates that COST's fight for the ED Dept. may be lost.  Word is that a move into COAL will come in a few weeks.