Rain, Mittens the Missing Cat and The Number of the Day

It’s Thursday, Aug. 1. Here are five things you need to know. Tell us what we need to know on the Patch message board!

1. Today…in History: Coolio (yes, Coolio) turns 50 today. The rapper best known for “Gangsta's Paradise” was born Aug. 1, 1963. He’s still performing and updates fans on Twitter.

2. You Said It: "There is no government takeover plan," said U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) to the residents at the Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield on Tuesday. "It is all going to be private insurance and it's going to add 30 million people to the private insurance system. You're welcome, private insurance system.”

3. ICYMI: The matter of Mittens, the feral cat that got lost in the rafters of Crosspointe Animal Hospital in Fairfax Station on July 19, remains unresolved. Hospital staff don’t believe that the cat is in the building anymore.

4. Number of the Day: $235 million. That’s the payout for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing. Take a look at the winning Powerball numbers.

5. There is an 80 percent chance of rain, and possibly thunderstorms today with a high temp of 79 degrees. You can find your local forecast by using the search bar here