Here's a look at today's local headlines. (Remember, for the latest on Hurricane Irene, see today's News & Observer and www.newsobserver.com)

BOY SCOUTS FIND NEW HOME: A local Scout troop will begin meeting at the American Legion Post next month after the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA broke ties over the Scouts ban on gay leaders and members.

COUNTY RESTARTS LIBRARY SEARCH: The Orange County commissioners may consider a site farther down on Hillsborough Road after rejecting the one close to downtown because of increasing costs.

LOVE IT OR HATE IT: We asked you what you think of "The Help," the come from behind story of black maids and more during the Jim Crow South and your letters are still coming in (got one already this morning). Read Carlton Koonce's story and our special commentary section today.

Lucas Selvidge starts a fire, Michelle Brooke kicks up a storm and associate editor Dave Hart takes on judgment calls in today's editorial about recent letters on the Scouts situation. We appreciate your feedback. Thanks for reading,

Mark       

Our "So You Think You Can Dance" correspondent Lenni G on last night's finale:

Great opening number featured the Top 20 doing a Sonya Tayeh routine. Have to say that Sonya was clearly the dominant choreographer this year, though Travis Wall, NappyTabs and Mandy Moore were certainly right up there as well.

The judges panel included Lil C, Robin Antin, Tyce Diorio, Sonya Tayeh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mary Murphy and Nigel. This time the judges' job was to choose their favorite routine of the season and have it done again. Even Cat got to pick her favorite group dance:  the Circus routine from Tyce Diorio. All fourteen of their selections were part of my favorites collection, with my favorite favorites being Tyce's "wall" number danced by Sasha and All Star Kent, Chris Scott's "angry couple having breakfast" featuring Sasha and Twitch, Melanie and Marko's "statue" routine from Travis Wall, and finally, the incredible Sonya Tayeh choreography for Melanie and Sasha that garnered the coveted "shoes" from Lady Gaga for both dancers and Sonya.

On to the results ...

"So You Think You Can Dance" correspondent Lenni G tells us about part one of the season's two-part finale (and also, what she thinks about the planned "Dirty Dancing" remake):

Guest judges for the Finale were Katie Holmes and Kenny Ortega.  Clearly, Katie was chosen since she never says anything bad about anybody, and Kenny was picked cuz he's planning to remake "Dirty Dancing."  Kenny, you CANNOT remake "Dirty Dancing." No way, no how.  Don't even think about it.  We. will. not. go. to. see. it.

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - The winner for Season 8 is chosen in part two of the season finale.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers must make garments for stilt-walking models. Later, they showcase their fashions in an outdoor runway show. Kim Kardashian is the guest judge.

Burn Notice (9pm, USA) - Michael and Jesse go on an extraction mission on a Caribbean island but end up trapped there by mercenaries. Meanwhile, Fiona tries to get information out of an ex by doing a favor for him.

Sweet Home Alabama (9pm, CMT) - Devin goes to her hometown of Tuscaloosa, where she and her suitors volunteer to help with cleaning up tornado damage.

Rookie Blue (10pm, ABC) - The division is quarantined when a suspect presumed drunk collapses due to an unknown disease. Elsewhere, a bank robbery suspect is apprehended covered in blue dye, but the officers have trouble finding his violent accomplice.

Futurama (10pm, Comedy Central) - Fry's care for an alien egg doesn't pay off when it hatches into a horrible monster.

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - The final four dancers perform in part one of a two-part Season 8 finale.

Royal Pains (9pm, USA) -  A local magician is affected by anxiety that causes his tricks to wrong. Elsewhere, Evan books Hank for an appearance on NBC's "Today" show with Matt Lauer (who appears as himself) without realizing that Hank is terrified of public speaking.

Roseanne's Nuts (9pm, Lifetime) - Phyllis Diller and Sandra Bernhard visit Roseanne and the three friends enjoy a night out, but Roseanne awakens the next morning with a horrible hangover and desperately searches for a cure.

Rescue Me (10pm, FX) - The fallout from Tommy's 9/11 interview  hits like a ton of bricks, and the reporter begins probing Tommy's personal life as well. This is bad news for everyone at 62 Truck.

Rocco's Dinner Party (10pm, Bravo) - Tonight's dinner party celebrates the wedding anniversary of Samantha Bee and Jason Jones, both of "The Daily Show with John Stewart." Other guests include Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan.

Our "So You Think You Can Dance" correspondent Lenni G recaps last night's elimination show:

Another group opening with a BIG -- I mean BIG -- flower to dance around. I think this might be a prop Lady Gaga could really relate to.
 
The judges are introduced and Christina Applegate is not there. Assume that she, like Gaga and Carmen Electra before her, only signed up for Wednesday night duty. And I think I know why...

Our "So You Think You Can Dance" correspondent Lenni G on last night's episode:

Busy, busy night for the Top 6. There were couples dances with All-Stars, couples dances with fellow competitors and solos from each of the remaining 6. And we had two guest judges - Christina Applegate who, judging from her comments, knows alot about dancing, and Lil C who, as usual, waxed eloquent as only the C can.
 
Melanie and All-Star Twitch started the evening with a hip hop routine from NappyTabs. This was all about Little Red (Melanie) "swagging" in the Hood with the wolf (Twitch). Lil C thought it was a very hip response to living in the hood and that it had buckness. Christina said Melanie gives her hope and takes her on a journey. Mary said her brother had called her right before the show and said "this girl has it."  Mary agreed with him.  Nigel called Melanie a phenomenal dancer who is good at everything. While this was not my favorite Melanie performance, she still looked fabulous and danced fabulously.

Detroit in Overdrive (8pm, Planet Green) - All three installments tonight in a new three-part documentary series examining efforts to revitalize the city of Detroit. In the first, Kid Rock launches a beer label (Badass Beer) and fashion designer Joe Faris tries to revive the Motor City's garment district. At 9, the show looks at a start-up record label and a famous artist's installation, as well as a high school trumpet player who auditions for a music scholarship. The episode at 10 visits a former auto body plant that houses small businesses and a community of artists.

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - "American Idol" contestant Pia Toscano performs, and two dancers are sent home.

Ultimate Merger (9pm, TV One) - In the Season 2 opener, model Tocarra Jones looks for a mate and meets 12 suitors who try to win her over. Adrienne reviews.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - The designers must make fashion from items found in a pet store.

Suits (10pm, USA) - Mike takes on Louis' protege during a mock trial, but his conflict with Rachel could hurt his chances of winning. Meanwhile, Harvey works on a merger between two hotel chains, but his past with the opposing counsel complicates matters.

Jersey Shore (10pm, MTV) - The new season begins tonight and the bad news for Europe is that it all takes place in Italy. Watch Snooki crash into an Italian police car and get arrested. Watch Ronnie beat on The Situation. Watch me watch "Suits" at 10 p.m. instead...

Louie  (10:30pm, FX) - Louie reflects on his career failures and tries to score concert tickets for his daughter. Comics Dane Cook and Bob Saget play themselves.

So You Think You Can Dance (8pm, Fox) - Christina Applegate and Lil C are the guest judges tonight.

Franklin & Bash (9pm, TNT) - The good news is tonight's episode is the season finale. The bad news is that the show has been renewed for a second season. (Hey, if I can't mock Franklin and Bash, right, who can I mock?)

Roseanne's Nuts (9pm, Lifetime) - Roseanne attempts to cook a Passover meal using only vegetables from her farm, but soon realizes she needs more food and enlists the help of her celebrity guests to prepare dinner.

Necessary Roughness (10pm, USA) - Dani helps an extreme sports star whose nightmares begin to affect his performance. Also, Dani prepares for her high school reunion, even though her ex-husband will also be there.

Rescue Me (10pm, FX) - Tommy's 9/11 interview airs, with predictably combustible results. Meanwhile, Sean goes out with Emily, the bridal shop clerk, and Kelly gets the results of her blood test.

Primetime Nightline: Beyond Belief (10pm, ABC) - In a report on out-of-body experiences, Bob Woodruff recalls his own shortly after being injured in a bombing in Iraq in 2006. Woodruff also interviews Colton Burpo, the boy whose experiences are recounted in the best seller, "Heaven Is For Real."

Our "So You Think You Can Dance" correspondent Lenni G (who is a big Duke fan!) tells us about last night's elimination show:

Before we get to the results, thought y'all would like to know that a rising junior at Duke, Julianne Chiraz, was shown in the promo for National Dance Day which is this weekend. Julianne is on the far right in this clip.   
 
Clearly Duke people are multi-talented!
 
On to the results show - The opening group number from Tyce Diorio was fantastic.  I loved the music which was from the movie, "Water for Elephants."  Then there was the performance from The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD) which was simply spectacular.  Congrats to Christopher Scott for some of the most awesome choreography EVER!