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The Federal Emergency Management Agency is focused on dealing with the storm Gustav, which could smash the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane. The head of FEMA is in the region and his boss, Homeland Defense Secretary Michael Chertoff, is going, too.

Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Rep. John Lewis, the last surviving speaker from the March on Washington, reflects on the historic nature of Obama's nomination.

Eric Melder is one of 10 Barack Obama supporters who won an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver courtesy of the Obama campaign. Last month, Obama's campaign e-mailed supporters saying if they made a donation of $5 or more and wrote a 100-word essay explaining why they support Obama, they could be selected to attend the convention.

Sen. Barack Obama makes history tonight when he speaks before the Democratic National Convention as the first black presidential nominee of a major party. But today also marks the 45th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. Civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman discusses the significance of both events.

During the Democratic National Convention, Obama has benefited by being surrounded by a mostly adoring base. But as the election moves forward, delegates and party leaders say that he needs to extend his message to a broader audience — beginning with his speech on Thursday night at the city's football stadium.

Twenty-eight-year-old Tharin Gartrell was arrested with rifles, ammunition and drugs in his truck on Sunday. Investigators say he allegedly threatened Sen. Barack Obama, but emphasize that he never posed a "credible threat" to the candidate.

We hear voices from this morning's Unity Breakfast at the Democratic National Convention. Many people were deeply moved by the naming of the first African American Democratic Party presidential nominee.

Exactly three years after the anniversary of Katrina, Hurricane Gustav is threatening to hit New Orleans. Kenneth Padgett, Jefferson Parish director of emergency services, discusses the lessons learned from Katrina.

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama will be giving his big speech on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous I Have a Dream speech, meaning the stakes are extremely high. We visit with a local debate team in Denver to see what they are looking for.

The U.S. economy grew at a better than expected 3.3 percent rate in the second quarter, according to a report Thursday from the Commerce Department. But tax rebate checks and the weak dollar fueled the boost, and experts don't expect the healthy economic growth to last.

Sen. Barack Obama made history last night as the first black man to lead a major party's bid for the White House. An emotional day included speeches by former President Bill Clinton, vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and a relinquishing of delegates by former candidate Hillary Clinton. Host Michel Martin gives an update from Denver.

As part of the program's Music Minute from the Democratic National Convention, listen to a portion of the song, Yes We Can, by popular musician Will-I-Am. The song was based on a speech given by democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Sen. Barack Obama was nominated as the Democratic party's presidential candidate last night in Denver, and the party faithful cheered on speeches by former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden. Hear thoughts from delegates on the floor during party's emotional roll call.

As Democratic Sen. Barack Obama moves forward as the first African-American to serve as a major party presidential nominee, the program continues its series What If?. Author and poet Maya Angelou, a former Hillary Clinton supporter, weighs the meaning of Obama's candidacy.

Foreign policy experience and expertise is critical to many American voters in choosing a president. In this week's international briefing, hear how the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is being viewed by the foreign press. Jesus Esquivel, of Mexico's Proceso political magazine and John Mulaa from Kenya's East African Standard discuss how media from abroad are being received at the DNC.

For a century, University of Missouri journalism students have learned the craft by working at the Columbia Missourian. But now that newspaper's troubles could lead to big changes and take away a training ground for student journalists.

Barack Obama will accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night. He was nominated Wednesday by acclamation at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Later, Bill Clinton delivered a ringing endorsement of Obama, and then vice presidential nominee Joe Biden told the crowd that the nation requires more than a good soldier in the White House.

History was made Wednesday in Denver as a major political party for the first time nominated a black man to be president of the United States. Barack Obama will accept the nomination Thursday at the pary's convention. Early on, his campaign was propelled by his opposition to the Iraq war, but it succeeded for reasons well beyond the war.

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.

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.

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.

Barack Obama sailed into history Wednesday as the first African-American to head a major-party presidential ticket. Prompted by Hillary Clinton, the party nominated him by acclamation. And after VP pick Joe Biden spoke, Obama joined him onstage.

Georgia Rep. John Lewis marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 45 years ago when he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Sen. Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination on the same date. For Lewis, that marks the start of a new time in racial politics.

Barack Obama will accept the Democratic presidential nomination in an outdoor stadium with 70,000 screaming onlookers, a light show and music. It'll look like a rock concert rather than a political rally. Bruce Springsteen concertgoers give advice on how to keep your cool and not look like an Obama poseur.

Joe Biden accepted his nomination Wednesday as Barack Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket. In his speech, he said Obama was the great American success story.

In his speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Bill Clinton said Barack Obama is ready to be president. The former president also praised Obama's choice of Joe Biden as a running mate, saying, "He hit it out of the park."

Who was behind the inflammatory ad that showed Obama wearing a turban? The answer could be the start of a joke: a hypnotherapist, an apolitical wedding videographer, and a felon now on the run. And they still haven't paid for the ad.

New Orleans is debating the best way to police the city, one of the most violent in the U.S. A recent car-baiting sting operation conducted by the New Orleans Police Department has people sharply divided over how police resources should be used.

Facing the threat posed by Gustav, New Orleans is trying to balance an evacuation plan with the need to not cause panic. Mark Schleifstein, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, says models show the storm strengthening and potentially hitting New Orleans as a hurricane Monday.

Alben Barkley served in Congress for close to 40 years and was Harry Truman's vice president from 1948-1952. He too might have been forgotten like other vice presidents except for two things: his nickname and the remarkable circumstance of his death.

George W. Bush is spending his final summer vacation as president at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Valerie Citrano, who runs The Coffee Shop Cafe in nearby McGregor with her husband, Donald, says she's feeling a little nostalgic.

After a joint U.S.-Afghan bombing raid allegedly killed 90 Afghan civilians, Afghan support for U.S. military action is waning. Officials say bad intelligence probably led to the deadly strike aimed at Taliban fighters.

Wednesday's speeches are designed to show how Biden and Obama will mesh in their approach to America's role in the world. But some question how closely their ideas align.

Despite a federal indictment, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens won his primary race for Senate and immediately proclaimed the November election a "piece of cake." He'll now move on to the general election, while facing charges that he failed to report gifts from an oil company.

Former presidential candidate and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton gave what some are calling the most passionate speech of her political career last night at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Host Michel Martin checks in from Denver with guest host Cheryl Corley to discuss Clinton's address and other DNC highlights.

In the latest installment of the series What If?, which explores the potential impact of a first-elected black president, writer and activist Tim Wise and writer Richard Rodriguez to discuss whether Sen. Barack Obama's popularity among whites does anything to change pre-existing negative perceptions of blacks in America.

Harvey Gantt made history in 1983 as the first African-American to be elected as mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. In this week's Wisdom Watch, Gantt, who is also a renowned architect, discusses his political and professional journey and shares thoughts on Sen. Barack Obama's quest to change history.

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden's selection as Barack Obama's presidential running mate has stirred conversations and concerns about the strengths –and vulnerabilities—he brings to the Democratic bid for the White House. Ruben Navarratte, of the San Diego Union Tribune and CNN, and Johns Hopkins University Professor Lester Spence explore the impact of Biden on the Obama campaign.

Friday marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast. Some progress has been made in rebuilding New Orleans. And while huge problems remain, the woes don't seem as insuperable as they once did.