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[h=4]5 things you need to know Wednesday[/h]The biggest and most buzzworthy news to start your morning.
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A woman walks back from watching the waves roll over the end of the 29th Street Galveston rock groin June 16, 2015, in Galveston, Texas as Tropical Storm Bill makes landfall.(Photo: AP/Rachel Denny Clow, Corpus Christi Caller-Times)
1. Texas braces for rain, threat of floods and possible tornadoes
Tropical Storm Bill, which made landfall on Tuesday, is still bringing harsh weather to Texas. The state is facing heavy rain with the possibility of flooding and even tornadoes. The National Weather Service says average rainfall through Wednesday evening for portions of the state will be 3 to 6 inches but there could be as much as 12 inches in some isolated areas. Texas is already saturated: It had its wettest month ever in May, so flooding is possible. Last month's floods killed 20 people and destroyed dozens of homes.
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As Tropical Storm Bill makes its way North, some parts of the country will see more rain than they hoped for. VPC
2. Warriors are champions for the first time since 1975
After 40 years, the NBA title is back in the Bay Area.The Warriors survived the last, desperate shots from LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night – and the raucous environment at Quicken Loans Arena – to finally claim a new slice of history with a 105-97 victory. And, as the Bay Area celebrates, many will be asking — fairly or not — why James, the greatest player in the game, has only won two championships in 12 seasons.
3. Birth rates among U.S. women rises for first time in seven years
Here's another sign that the economy is rebounding: More people are having babies. The number of births among women ages 15 to 44 ticked up by 1% from 2013 to 2014, to 3.98 million births. That's the first increase since 2007, the beginning of the recession, according to a study released Wednesday by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Fertility rate among U.S. women has increased for the first time in seven years. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Jae C. Hong, AP)
4. Fed forecasts could provide clues on first rate hike
If the Fed is leaning toward raising its key interest rate in September, we'll likely know on Wednesday. That's when they'll forecast the benchmark rate for the end of the year. The Fed hasn't boosted its benchmark rate since 2006. It is has been near zero since the 2008 financial crisis and recession. A rise in rates is likely to push up borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen has said the central bank won't ra raise interest rates until it's reasonably confident inflation is heading back up to the Fed's target.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images)
5. Ramadan set to begin — but midsummer holy month means longer fast for some
The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is likely to begin at sundown Wednesday in the U.S., but Muslims who live farther north must fast several hours longer than those in Mecca. On the year's longest day, June 21, some could end up fasting for as long as 20 hours. The Muslim holy month traditionally starts the morning after the naked-eye sighting of the new moon.
Muslims in Shah Alam, Malaysia, eat during Iftar - the sunset meal when Muslims break their fast in the holy month of Ramadan.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Lai Seng Sin, AP)
And, the essentials:
Weather: Heavy rain from the remnants of Bill will soak the southern Plains. Severe storms will lash portions of the Ohio Valley and northern Rockies.
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The national weather forecast for Wednesday, June 17 calls for thunderstorms in the Mid and Upper Mississippi Valley, showers and thunderstorms in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, and evening showers and thunderstorms in the northern Rockies. VPC
Stocks: U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Duck Dynasty and The Game.
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Contributing: Associated Press
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