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Hello, everyone. I'm Catherine Callaway at the CNN Center in Atlanta. We are so glad you're with us today. Here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

A new CNN Opinion Research Corporation Poll shows that Barack Obama and John McCain are both now at 47 percent. That's a slight drop for Obama. It is the first poll conducted entirely² after his selection of Senator Joe Biden as a running mate.

The Obama-Biden ticket and the rest of the Democrats³ begin laying out their plan for America tonight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Obama's wife Michelle are scheduled to speak in Denver.

Senator Ted¹ Kennedy could make a surprise appearance when that Democratic Convention opens tonight. The 76-year-old Obama supporter was diagnosed with brain cancer back in June and had surgery on the tumor⁴. He hasn't been seen in public since his one triumphant⁵ return to the Capitol for a vote. A final decision on his appearance will come later today.

And Florida and Michigan delegates get their power back. The DNC unanimously agreed to restore full rights back to both states' delegates. Those states have been penalized⁶ for rescheduling their primaries earlier this year.

There were some severe weekend storms that occurred not too far from where the Democrats are gathering⁷ in Denver. Four tornadoes⁸ touched down just southeast of Denver. The twisters caused no substantial damage, but video from the scene, as you can see, shows a huge twister spinning up red dust and coming a bit too close for comfort for at least one ranch⁹ owner there. The storm's brought heavy rain and more than an inch of hail.

Good news continuing for America's road warriors¹¹, AAA now is saying the gas prices stand at $3. 68 a gallon. That is down 30 cents from a month ago. You know what, though price is still up 93 cents from a year ago.

And those are the headlines this hour. Stay with CNN for more on all of these stories and other news of the day.

Vocabulary:

road warrior¹⁰: a person who travels frequently especially on business

too close for comfort:  if something that happens is too close for comfort, it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid

From somewhere too close for comfort came the sound of machine-gun fire.