The Morning Read: Thursday, July 19, 2007

The explosion in midtown yesterday killed one person and injured dozens.

A brief video of the explosion can be viewed here, and photos of it are here.

Michael Bloomberg said the explosion was caused by cold water and a “failure of our infrastructure.”

The city is checking for asbestos in Midtown now.

There may be a deal on congestion pricing, thanks to marathon discussions behind closed doors.

Rudy Giuliani told supporters in Iowa he would appoint “strict constructionists” to the Supreme Court.

Hillary Clinton’s shift on Iraq may be problematic.

Wall Street Journal reporters air their fears about Rupert Murdoch’s takeover of their paper.

Congress has a problem with Cardinal Egan.

The GOP presidential field is in flux because of the collapse of one candidate (John McCain) and the rise of another (Fred Thompson).

If New York loses $500 million in federal transportation funds, then The New York Times editorial blames everyone: the mayor, governor and legislative leaders.

The Daily News editorial board doesn’t like the closed-door meetings in Albany.

The New York Sun editorial board wants the probe of the former state comptroller widened as far as possible.

Mark Helperin has an op-ed in the Times about the Middle East peace process.

And Nicole Gelinas and E.J. McMahon worry about any changes to the state comptroller’s power.