DC native finds calling in Fourth of July history    By Jacquelyn Martin (AP)

Historian James Heintze can tick off colorful accounts of how the nation has celebrated the Fourth of July over the years: In the 19th century, canons fired, church bells sounded and fireworks exploded.

Indianapolis residents watched in 1911 as two trains purposely collided at full speed, their conductors bailing out at the last minute.   Read More...

INVESTMENTS By Dave Ramsey

Barack Obama and John McCain will soon intensify the process of selecting their Vice Presidential nominees. Pundits will earnestly debate the merits of each prospective candidate in exhaustive detail. But ultimately the test that will determine each man's choice is relatively simple: "Who best helps
me win the White House?" Read More...

Wildfire chases July 4th visitors from Big Sur By DAN STEINBERG (AP)

Some 200 opposition supporters crowded outside the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe on Thursday, appealing for protection amid new reports of violence aimed at dissenters against the heavy-handed rule of President Robert Mugabe.

Activists did get some good news: Two women who led peaceful protests against Mugabe were granted bail after almost six weeks in a bleak prison cell.    Read More...