Mark Memmott

There's live video now from CNN and Washington's NBC-4 as work begins to have engineers rappel down the sides of the Washington Monument to inspect for damage from the Aug. 23 earthquake that shook much of the eastern U.S.

Last week the state of Texas said it would no longer let condemned prisoners order practically anything they want for their last meals before execution.

July marked a fourth consecutive month of slight gains in home prices in its surveys covering major cities across the nation, researchers who put together the widely watched S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices

A man shouting "Jesus Christ is God!" interrupted President Obama's address at a fundraiser in Los Angeles last night.

He began by shouting that the "Christian God is the one and only true living God." Then he added that "Jesus Christ is God!" Others in attendance tried to overcome the interruption by chanting "four more years!"

According to David Nakamura of The Washington Post, who was among the "pool" reporters covering the event, as the man was being removed from the event he added that "Barack Obama is the antichrist!"

Good morning.

Today's top story so far in the U.S. seems to be about the government shutdown that isn't going to happen.

As we reported earlier, Democrats and Republicans reached an agreement last night that averted what might have been at least a partial shutdown later this week. And, as often is the case, both sides are claiming vindication.

Meanwhile, other stories making headlines include: