Now, all eyes turn to Tropical Storm Chris

We're watching the faraway developments of Tropical Storm Chris, which is currently about 125 miles northeast of Puerto Rico.

Current forecasts have the storm strengthening into a hurricane as early as this evening.

Its projected path, as plotted by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, puts Chris in the western Gulf of Mexico next Wednesday.

In conjunction with these developments:

--This blog now expands from Rita-related content to new, ongoing coverage of the current developments during this hurricane season.

--Our main newspaper Web site, www.americanpress.com, has just unveiled its redesigned, easier-to-navigate layout and new features. From the home page, you can access a hurricane tracking chart or download our entire Hurricane Season 2006 special section, which has emergency information and preparedness tips.

BRETT DOWNER
Editor