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August 1, 2008 - CNN reports that FEMA officials were subjected to sharp questioning in Thursday's joint congressional hearing that examined how FEMA supplies meant for Katrina and Rita victims sat unused and were ultimately marked as surplus and distributed to other states and federal agencies.

August 1, 2008 - A bipartisan commission held a hearing Thursday to investigate illegal housing discrimination practices following Hurricane Katrina. The day-long hearing held in Houston, entitled "The Re-Segregation on the Gulf Coast in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina," represents the second leg of the new commission's five-city investigation on the state of fair housing in America.

August 1, 2008 - One of my dogs recently had her regular check-up at our veterinarian's office, where despite my oft-stated concerns over pesticide safety I was convinced to buy an expensive product to keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes at bay during this exceptionally buggy summer. It's perfectly safe, the doctor assured me.

August 1, 2008 - We reported yesterday on Texas-based Exxon Mobil's second-quarter net profit of $11.7 billion -- the highest quarterly profit ever for a U.S. company without one-time gains.

July 31, 2008 - In recent years, state legislatures in the South and elsewhere across the country have taken steps to crack down on predatory lenders -- payday advance companies, title loan firms, and other outfits that charge borrowers exorbitant interest rates sometimes as high as 36 percent. Last year alone, for example, more than 100 bills pertaining to such lenders were introduced in 33 states.

July 31, 2008 - Net profit of ExxonMobil in 2nd quarter of 2008 (March-June): $11.7 billion

July 30, 2008 - Chris O'Brien, reporter for the San Jose Mercury News has posted excerpts from his interview with T.