AP - Oil prices fluctuated sharply Thursday as Tropical Storm Gustav spun toward the Gulf of Mexico, with some traders fearing a disruption in supplies and others betting that the government would tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if needed. Either way, consumers were likely to see a hike in gas prices for Labor Day weekend.

AP - Spielberg! Affleck! J.Lo! They were among the Hollywood celebrities attending events in Denver as the Democratic National Convention nominated Barack Obama as the party's presidential candidate.

AP - National Guard troops stand ready, batteries and water bottles are selling briskly, and one small-town mayor has spent a sleepless night worrying. The New Orleans area is skittishly watching as a storm marches across the Caribbean on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary.

AP - You never know who you'll run into on the floor of the Democratic National Convention. It might be a football immortal, or a 1980s TV actress, or the former secretary of state. Even the star of the "Harold and Kumar" movies, an ardent Democratic activist.

AP - Looking toward his turn in the spotlight, Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain said Thursday he had yet to decide on a running mate.