1.   And each day the heat continues, the outlook grows bleaker, said William Albert, who raises corn and cattle and manages the Hutto Grain Co-op.

2.   After the attacks, the outlook grew graver still.

3.   But his outlook grew increasingly grim the longer he waited without feeling significant improvement.

4.   But that outlook grew hazy when Charlie Ward, a point guard better suited for Patrick Ewing, took over as the starter last season.

5.   The outlook for Amtrak grew bleaker late last week after Republican leaders in the House yanked separate legislation that would have freed money for the government-supported railroad.

6.   Prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange plunged Monday morning as a pessimistic outlook grew stronger, while the U.S. dollar traded lower against the Japanese yen.

7.   The holiday outlook grew dimmer for retailers Thursday as evident from disappointing earnings reports from several prominent companies as well as a warning by Best Buy.