Welcome to the Friday edition of the Bronx News Roundup. Here are the stories we’re following today, starting with the weather forecast for the weekend: Muggy and hot with a chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight. Cooler this weekend, overcast with rain possible on Saturday, then mostly sunny on Sunday.

Ruben Diaz, Jr. for Public Advocate in 2013? In his column for the Bronx Times, editor Bob Kappstatter says it’s a very real possibility for the current Bronx borough president and spokesman John DeSio confirmed that Diaz is indeed exploring a run. Also: notes from Bronx Democratic County dinner (good turnout, no brawls), and more conjecture on 75-year-old Assemblyman Jose Rivera’s future (switching seats with Councilman son Joel?).

Kappy files this report on the fallout from the conviction of Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook. It says a special non-partisan special election will probably called to coincide with the Nov. 6 general election and includes some possible replacement candidates, including 1199 SEIU’s Andy King, Seabrook’s daughter Latisha and Marricka Scott, a former chief of staff to Bronx Dem boss Carl Heastie.

Seabrook, whose seat was vacated upon the conviction, told reporters he’ll continue to keep the faith. “My reaction is that I continue to have faith in God, faith in the system, faith in my attorneys,” he said, according to the NY Times, adding that he would “now prepare myself for whatever is next.” Seabrook is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8.

Yes! Finally the extensive profile on ubiquitous local blogger/irritant/free press advocate/mayor torturer Rafael Martinez Alequin that we’ve all been waiting for (meaning to write ourselves), courtesy of Riverdale Press associate editor Adam Wisnieski. Lots of good stuff here, but here’s just one tidbit that pretty much sums up Alequin: “I’ve got the trifecta. I’m despised by the mayor. I’m despised by the speaker. I’m despised by the press,” he said. (We don’t despise you Rafael! Keep up the good work.)

Adriano Espaillat may have dropped his lawsuit alleging disenfranchisement during the 13th Congressional District primary, but the group Latino Justice continues to push the Department of Justice to further look into violations of the Voting Rights Act, saying it has more evidence that proper bilingual assistance wasn’t provided on election day, the Riverdale Press reports.

Capital New York takes a look at the Bronx Museum’s two new exhibits, which opened last week.

The website SeedStock.com has a story on teacher Steve Ritz (formerly at Discovery High School) and the Bronx Green Machine, the sustainable agriculture program he created that is now growing crops on a Harlem rooftop.

Former DeWitt Clinton High School shortstop Melvin Mercedes (who has an awesome baseball name, always an important attribute for a big leaguer) is starting his professional career with Oakland A’s, the Riverdale Press reports.

14-year-old Bronxite Kemar Brooks was found dead early this morning by his father in Haffen Park with a tennis racket in his hand, reports the Daily News. Kemar’s dad said his son was a standout student and had “bright future.” Police said he suffered head trauma and may have been shot.

Two people were arrested after allegedly causing a ruckus and then assaulting police officers during a late night showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” at the Concourse Plaza Multiplex.

Former Mariners superstar Ichiro Suzuki makes his Bronx debut for the Yankees against the Red Sox tonight. The Times’ Tyler Kepner, in a front page piece, says Ichiro has an opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of his career. (So many thoughts on this development from your humble narrator, a lifelong and long-suffering Mariners fan, which I hope to share in a post next week. But for now, I’ll just say, Good Luck, Ichiro, thanks for the memories.)

And finally, on the day the Olympics gets officially underway, a story from CNN on Olympian John Orozco. The Bronxite has a legitimate shot at getting a medal in London, but he’ll have to beat this guy to win gold. Below, Orozco talks about growing up in the Bronx.

That’s all for today, we’ll be back next week. Enjoy the Olympics and the rest of the weekend. Send links and news tips to us at norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org.