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In almost every big city in the United States, traffic is terrible and likely to get worse, according to a new study from the Texas Transportation Institute. In 1982, the average driver spent 16 hours stuck in traffic. That number is now at 42 hours a year. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Steve Dworman, publisher of the Infomercial Marketing Report, about the 20th anniversary of the infomercial being celebrated in Las Vegas at the Electronic Retailing Assn. conference. Dworman says major TV networks are starting to incorporate infomercial programming into their traditional lineups. "Oprah did it with the car giveaway," he says. "That was essentially an hour-long infomercial."

Foreign life forms ranging from the dreaded zebra mussel to mute swans are taking over the American countryside. Biologists haven't had much luck in their fight to stop this "silent invasion," but the battle isn't over yet. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

Congress and many states are trying to require restaurant chains to post nutritional information on their menus in an effort to combat obesity. The restaurant industry opposes such mandates, arguing that the market will naturally respond to consumer demand. The popular restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday's already has. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Supporters of gun control make a last-ditch effort to renew the 10-year-old ban on assault weapons. Although President Bush has said he would sign a renewal of the ban, there has been no movement among congressional leaders to save the law, set to expire next week. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

John Kerry says he would make America's military stronger if he were president. The Democratic nominee, speaking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, criticized President Bush's proposed reductions in U.S. troop levels abroad. NPR's Juan Williams reports.

Vice President Dick Cheney will formally accept the Republican Party's nomination for a second term as President Bush's running mate Wednesday night. Over the last four years, Cheney has been Bush's most influential adviser, an emissary to conservatives and a lightning rod for critics. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

Questions about President Bush's time in the Texas National Guard resurface, as the Associated Press reports it has been unable to find military documents to explain gaps in his service. Records released by the Pentagon add new details but don't account for the missing months. Hear NPR's Eric Niiler.

Sen. John Kerry sharply critiques President Bush's policy in Iraq, saying he would protect soldiers better if he were in office. The Democratic nominee's speech to the American Legion went against the tradition of candidates taking a break during opponents' party conventions. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

U.S. tanks have pulled close to the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, but will not be allowed to clear out fighters loyal to cleric Muqtadar al-Sadr. The politics of the Shiite world have led to an impasse, and appear to have paralyzed the Iraqi government. But Najaf is now a real war zone. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.