Appalling: The NYPD has been infiltrating Muslim student groups on college campuses throughout the city in an attempt to hunt down and infiltrate potential terror cells.  Curiously, Columbia was spared. (ABC)

Apprehensive:  Occupy Wall Street may soon square off with an adversary even countless celebrity cameos may not be able to overcome: Rain, and a lot of it. (WSJ)

Concerning, but, for the time being, comforting: The NYPD has (on the other end of the spectrum) arrested a suspect in the recent Morningside Park sexual assault case. (Spec)

Distressing: Stock up on peanut butter like the ghost of Irene has returned, because, in the coming days, peanut butter producers will be raising prices by upwards of 50% due to poor weather conditions. (TIME)

Fascinating: How did the red Solo cup evolve into a college icon worthy of Toby Keith lyrics like “Red Solo cup is the best receptacle for barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals. And you, sir, do not have a pair of testicles if you prefer drinking from a glass”? Even their VP admits, “The history is a little sketchy.” (Slate)

Free: Who wins in a battle between your wallet and your dignity? Japan. The nation is planning on coughing up a billion yen to give away 10,000 free round trip tickets in a campaign to bring the tourists back. The only catch? Participants must shamelessly market their trip through social media and blogs. (Guardian)

Colorful Spectrum via Wikimedia Commons