One of the biggest question marks this election year is the youth vote, a crucial constituency for Democratic nominee Barack Obama. In the past, the turnout of young voters has been relatively low. In 2004 and 2006, and in this year's presidential primaries, young voters turned out in force. But so did a lot of voters. PART 1 of 2.

Todd Palin, the husband of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, may be the country's most prominent dad who takes a major role at home, though he also works. While the number of stay-at-home dads has increased, men who choose this option still have to grapple with social expectations.

Metro's top official is hoping that an audit on the agency Missouri Auditor Susan Montee released this week won't dissuade St. Louis County voters from passing a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. Robert J. Baer, CEO and president of Metro, said he welcomed the audit and he's "glad" it has finally been released.

Bailouts for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and American International Group. Bankruptcy for Lehman Brothers. The buyout of Merrill Lynch. Given the continuing assault on the financial services industry, could Wachovia Corp. be the next domino to fall? 

If Barack Obama is to make history, black voters will have to make history, too. Without an unprecedented increase in registration and turnout among black voters, the most reliably Democratic voters, Obama may find it hard to win the presidency. Are African-Americans moved to turn out and vote in November?

Seventy-five million American households reportedly receive a gift catalog from Miles Kimball, a quirky purveyor of gizmos and gadgets. But something's odd about the catalog -- and we don't just mean the items inside. In a historic year, when an African- American is running for president on a major-party ticket, all the models featured in the catalog are white. And, surprise, Miles Kimball is not alone.

The flooding that took place Sunday on creeks that seldom go out of their banks was caused by the same combination of factors that have led to flooding on the Mississippi and other large rivers. The massive rains ran off of buildings and parking lots into creeks that rose swiftly because they could not handle the increased flow. 

The financial crisis threatens the jobs, savings and finances of all Americans, the future of small and large businesses and the health of the entire economy, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed chairman Bernanke testified before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday. Act now on the rescue plan, debate later, they urged. | Washington Post

Japan's Nomura Holdings buys parts of Lehman Brothers as other Japanese banks see chance to snap up substantial bits of Wall Street. | Washington Post

Senators are angry and wary about huge shift of unlimited power. New York Times