From the LOS ANGELES TIMES: The idea of a large, stable middle class is central to America’s sense of itself. But the U.S. middle class has been steadily shrinking, dropping from 61% of all adults 40 years ago to a bare majority now, a new study finds.

From the PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE Editorial: …Its response to a request from the U.S. Justice Department for information concerning Pennsylvania’s compliance with the Voting Rights Act starts out with sarcasm and goes on to accuse its Civil Rights Division of engaging in a political stunt.

Perhaps it is a coincidence that the announcement of the retirement Harold “Chip” Miller as president of Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. takes place one day before perhaps the most embarrassing event in the history of this great Lancaster enterprise.

From the SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE Editorial: A recent study of government integrity standards and enforcement in all 50 states gave Pennsylvania a generous “C-plus.” But it didn’t go into detail on the most fundamental question – whether the agency truly is independent of the entities it is supposed to regulate.

From REUTERS: …”Mental stress can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus – an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle,” explains the Mayo Clinic in a publication about infertility. “Ovulation and menstruation may stop as a result.”

In large part, here is the media’s and public’s perception of Penn State’s dealing with the Jerry Sandusky atrocities: Penn State and its football program = incubation of pedophilia. Ergo, no punishment can be harsh enough. Also, the circumstances concerning investigations of Jerry Sandusky’s pedophilia cover up over fourteen years of convolutions…

From the WASHINGTON POST: … “First of all, from what I understand from doctors, (pregnancy from rape) is really rare,” Akin told KTVI-TV in a clip posted to YouTube by the Democratic super PAC American Bridge. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

From the NEW YORK TIMES: … In one of a series of recent steps, the military decreed that American and NATO service members should always carry a loaded magazine in their weapons, to save precious moments if attacked by Afghan forces.

From CNN: …The recall pertains to some 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers, GMC Envoys, Buick Raniers, the SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascenders, sold in a number of northern states, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Former Penn State Assistant Coach Mike McQueary is faulted by some for his failure to pull former defense coach Jerry Sandusky away from the boy Sandusky allegedly was sodomizing in the field house shower.

Commissioner Martin to Propose a Funding Plan for the Lancaster County Convention Center. On Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Lancaster County Commissioner Scott Martin will publically address the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority’s funding issue and announce a proposed a solution.