Highway 84 in San Mateo County blocked after vehicle crashes into pole

Both lanes of state Highway 84 in unincorporated San Mateo County near Woodside are blocked this morning after a vehicle crashed into a pole, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Highway 152-156 bypass ramp opens to ecstatic commuters

Smiling big rig drivers blew their horns, passengers in vans waved happily out their windows and the Sobrato High School band from Morgan Hill merrily played away -- all giddy at the anticipation of today's opening of a half-mile highway ramp in cow country.

• Live traffic updates

Expect record heat today in South Bay

If you thought Wednesday was hot, forget about it: San Jose's about to be scorched - really scorched. We're talking record-breaking heat. Today's temperature should climb to 98 degrees, shattering a 4-year-old record by a single digit.

• Local weather forecasts

Driving less? Pay less for your auto insurance

California motorists who drive less could save more than gas money under a new green insurance option announced Wednesday by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

State passes during roll call

It's one of the best-loved traditions of presidential nominating conventions: the roll call of the states.

The California Report

How Did Hilary Do?. What No Budget Means for Community Colleges. End Music.

The California Report

Tobacco Savings. Women and Obama. End Music.

The California Report

African-American Leadership. End Music.

The California Report Magazine

Central Valley Water Controversy — It's been a long, dry summer for Central Valley farmers, and the drought is exposing some raw nerves in a long-standing water controversy. Also, we'll trace one student's quest for a college education that includes overcoming the odds to get in, but struggling with the cost to stay in.

The California Report

Courting the Latino Vote. End Music.

Conflict Hinders Plans For Georgian Energy Corridor

Multinationals have invested billions of dollars into developing an energy thruway that circumvents Russian territory. With the recent Russian-Georgian war, the route's security is questionable.

Bracing For A Second Wave Of Home Foreclosures

There is growing concern that the home foreclosure crisis may worsen next year as lenders are hit by a new category of loans that haven't caused much trouble. Bank analysts say they expect delinquency rates on so-called "option ARMs" to continue rising, and those loans could cause as much trouble as subprime loans did.

Protesters Fill Prime Minister's Office In Bangkok

In Bangkok, Thailand, anti-government protesters are still occupying the grounds of the prime minister's office. For a third straight day, the demonstrators are demanding his resignation. The government has said it will not remove the protesters by force, but it has issued arrest warrants for nine of the group's leaders.

Fannie Mae Shuffles Top Executives

Troubled mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae has announced a management shakeup, but its chief executive will keep his job. Fannie Mae has been struggling to persuade investors that it has the capital to keep operating and avoid a government bailout.

GOP Platform Balances Positions Of McCain, Party

The 112 delegates on the Republican platform committee have hammered out a 20,000-word document outlining the party's beliefs, positions and ideals. It's a symbolic document, non-binding on the candidates. It proved to be an exercise in balancing positions held by the party faithful with those of their presumptive nominee, John McCain.

More top news (npr.org)

Military Veterans at Convention Support Obama's Jugdment and Vision

In the race between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, the Republican claims his political and military experience would make him a better president. But veterans attending the Democratic Convention say Obama's judgment and vision make him the best candidate.

Historians Give High Marks to Former President Bill Clinton's Speech

In a speech that drew huge applause from the crowd, former President Bill Clinton said, "The Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief... Sound familiar?" Delegates and historians analyze the speech and Clinton's legacy.

New Orleans Mayor Warns of Possible Evacuation as Storm Nears

Mayor Ray Nagin told the Online NewsHour that any storm above a Category Two hurricane would prompt the city to order a full evacuation. Nagin also answered viewer questions on Katrina rebuilding and the storm's aftermath.

Obama Surprises Denver Convention; Biden Embraces VP Role

Barack Obama made an unexpected appearance in Denver Wednesday night following his nomination as the Democratic candidate for president, making him the first black American ever named to lead a major party into the fall elections.

Biden Colleagues Laud His Background and Political Career

Sen. Joe Biden stepped to the spotlight Wednesday at the Democratic convention as he works to give voice to the newly named Obama-Biden ticket. Ruth Ann Minner, the governor of his home state, Delaware, and David Wilhelm, a former party chairman, assess Biden's role.

US economy rebounds

The US economy grew 3.3% in the second quarter of 2008, the Commerce Department said, much higher than first thought.

EU considers sanctions on Russia

EU leaders are considering imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Georgia, the French foreign minister says.

Bill Clinton backs Obama for president

Bill Clinton resoundingly endorses Barack Obama, who is formally nominated by US Democrats as their presidential candidate.

Indian PM says flood 'a calamity'

The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, describes the floods in the northern state of Bihar as a "national calamity".

Lebanon helicopter hit by gunfire

A Lebanese army helicopter hit by gunfire is forced to make an emergency landing in the south of the country, the army says.

STREET CRITIQUE Coming Up - Michael Farr

Anchor Paul Kangas interviews market strategists and financial experts about Wall Street trends. On Wednesday, August 27th, Michael Farr, President and Chief Investment Officer of Farr, Miller and Washington, will be Paul's guest.

Broken Banks

The credit crisis is driving more U.S. banks closer to the brink of failure and putting more stress on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). As NBR Washington bureau chief Darren Gersh reports, the FDIC may soon have no choice but to change the way it charges banks for insurance.

Keeping Pace with Inflation

NBR continues its year-long Get Your Finances Ready for Retirement series with tips that could help you inflation-proof your retirement income.

Economic Choices 2008 - Democratic Convention Preview

Democrats are set to formally nominate Senator Barack Obama as their presidential candidate at next week's convention. To prepare you for the convention, NBR Washington Bureau Chief Darren Gersh offers a live review of Obama's economic platform to date.

Texting Tactics

Presidential candidate Barack Obama isn't the only one embracing new media methods and channels, like text messaging and MySpace. As NBR Washington bureau chief Darren Gersh reports, major corporations are trying to jump on the social media bandwagon.