AP-8th NewsMinute,259

 Rain from Lee moves north...Firefighters in Texas have their hands

full

     UNDATED (AP) - Rain from what was once Tropical Storm Lee is

spreading northeast after leaving widespread flooding in the South.

Out in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Katia (KAH'-tyuh) is veering

northeast, away from the United States. It's weakened to a Category

3 storm.

     BASTROP, Texas (AP) - Firefighters in Central Texas are trying

to make headway on a wind-fueled, 25,000-acre wildfire that has

destroyed nearly 500 homes. Thousands of evacuees spent the night

away from their homes but there are no immediate reports of

injuries.

     LONDON (AP) - A new study estimates that about 165 million

people in Europe have some untreated type of mental illness. Rates

of mental disorders don't appear to be rising. The most common

problems included anxiety disorders, insomnia, depression, alcohol

and drug dependence and dementia.

     WASHINGTON (AP) - David Petraeus (peh-TRAY'-uhs), officially

trades in his stars for a business suit today when he is sworn is

as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. After 37 years in

the Army, the newly retired general with the major media profile

will be watched to see if he'll pursue policies opposed by White

House officials who disagreed with him during the Afghan war.

     WASHINGTON (AP) - There's plenty of traditional flu vaccine to

go around but some lucky folks may get to try what could be the

next big thing -- a tiny needle and a less scary pinprick. The new

type of flu shot is hitting the market this fall, but just for

adults and in limited availability. Wider distribution is set for

next year.

AP-FL--1st NewsMinute,202

 Here is the latest Florida news from The Associated Press

     MIAMI (AP) - Hurricane Katia has weakened to a Category 3 storm

as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean after briefly becoming a

Category 4 system. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Katia's

maximum sustained winds early Tuesday have decreased to near 125

mph. Forecast maps show Katia veering to the northeast, away from

the U.S.

     ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - St. Petersburg has struggled for

years with some of the most rampant homelessness in the country,

but it wasn't until this summer that downtown residents and

visitors started seeing some progress. City officials are crediting

strict enforcement of vagrancy ordinances and the opening of a

large shelter complex.