Announcement: Sick Editor = Short Issue

After enduring nine straight days of 100 degree-plus heat on the drought-ravaged, sun-baked prairies of South Dakota, Chronicle editor Phil Smith was struck down by an attack of chills and fevers Sunday night and diagnosed with pneumonia Monday morning. (The doctors say they are seeing many cases of "summer pneumonia" that they attribute to the record-breaking heatwave.)

Determined journalist that he is, Smith ripped the IV tubes from his arm and staggered from his hospital bed to do the Chronicle.

Okay, okay, they gave me a shot in the butt, some antibiotics, a bottle of Motrin, and sent me on my way. Still, it cut into my work week this week, thus the short issue. Don't worry -- we'll be back at full strength next week.