This artist's conception provided by NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech shows a newly discovered type of planet that wanders freely or follows very loose orbits. Astronomers have the mysterious denizens of the Milky Way are apparently as common as the stars. One expert called the discovery a huge surprise. (AP Photo/NASA JPL-Caltech)

Gosh, isn’t the weather gorgeous? No. It’s not. Strong thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and evening, and we may see severe storms Friday. Hopefully we see some sunshine soon!

Here are the most-viewed stories and most-commented items for Wednesday, May 18:

Most-viewed stories on LJWorld.com

1. One person killed in rollover accident on U.S. Highway 59, south of Pleasant Grove Hill
2. Fire causes major damage to home on Maple Street in North Lawrence; two dogs perish
3. 18-year-old Lawrence man charged with having illegal voluntary sexual relationship with teen
4. Chairman Gary Sherrer announces sudden and immediate resignation from Kansas Board of Regents
5. Recruits DeAndre Daniels, Jamari Traylor and Trevor Lacey to pick schools Wednesday

Most-commented items in the past 24 hours

1. KU proposes tuition increases for 2011-12 school year
2. Medicare plan
3. Song Blog: One More For The RoeD . . er, Road!
4. A Wisconsin man claims to have eaten 25,000 Big Macs. How many total Big Macs do you think you’ve eaten?
5. 18-year-old Lawrence man charged with having illegal voluntary sexual relationship with teen

There are two things I wanted to share on this dreary Thursday. The first is a story about an adorable kitten whose fur has been dyed pink by pigment at a concrete manufacturing plant in Redruth, Cornwall. There are photos. They call the kitty the “Pink Panther.” H/T to my friend Laura for the link.

The second is a NASA rendering of a wandering planet. Discovered by a joint Japan-New Zealand survey, the “free-floating planets” are suspended alone in space away from starlight, and were likely ejected from developing planetary systems. The press release on NASA.gov says the research team that discovered them believes there could be “hundreds of billions” of rogue planets in the Milky Way alone.

AP caption: This artist’s conception provided by NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech shows a newly discovered type of planet that wanders freely or follows very loose orbits. Astronomers have said the mysterious denizens of the Milky Way are apparently as common as the stars. One expert called the discovery a huge surprise.

4:56 p.m. update

Here are the most-viewed stories so far for Thursday:

1. Jayhawks go 1-1-1 on D-Day
2. Kansas Highway Patrol asks for public’s help in investigation of fatal accident on U.S. Highway 59 south of Lawrence
3. Cellular biology major will graduate as candidate with distinction nearly two decades after being kicked out of KU
4. Town Talk: City loses bid to keep expanding engineering firm; mayor has ideas on downtown panhandling; city may form committee to promote Lawrence as retirement destination
5. Strong thunderstorms possible Thursday afternoon, severe weather threat increases Friday