National

• River slowly dropping, but Iowa town still flooded

  • Des Moines levee breach threatens neighborhood

  • A look at disaster relief efforts in the Midwest

• Scouts had nowhere to go when tornado hit

• Calif. firefighters still struggling with blaze

• Sketch released in case of 2 Okla. girls slain

• R&B star R. Kelly acquitted in child porn case

• Ailing Manson follower asks for early release

International

• Afghan official: 870 inmates escaped

• Bush criticizes Iran decision on nuclear program

• At least 4 dead, 10 missing in Japan's 7.2 quake

• Iraqi army gears up for next operation in Amarah

Election

• McCain slams Supreme Court on terrorist detainees

• Obama wants payroll tax on incomes above $250,000

  • Hard week, soft landing for Obama's wife

ODD & Extraordinary

• Girl survives lightning strike, then wins $20

• Gnawing beaver knocks out phones, services in Ark.

• Mysterious 'Gas Men' dole out cash at the pumps

• Alleged wig-wearing robber fails to plan escape

• Feds say man wore diaper full of heroin

• Spider monkey uses garden hose to flee Indiana zoo

• Cooper skyjacking cash sells for $37K

Entertainment & The Arts

• Kevin Spacey to teach at Oxford University

• NBC's Tim Russert dies at 58 of heart attack

• Bonnaroo opens with Metallica, Chris Rock

Science

• Scientists: 115-year-old's brain worked perfectly

• Explorers find 1780 British warship in Lake Ontario

• Mars lander probes first microscope sample

• Weather favorable for shuttle Discovery's return

Today

• This day in history

• The nation's weather