USA TODAY

08/06/2010 - Updated 06:10 AM ET

Alabama starts its title defense at No. 1

The Crimson Tide received 55 of the 59 first place votes. Ohio State, Florida, Texas and Boise State round out the Top 5.

Nation & World

With her confirmation, Justice Kagan makes 3

For the first time in U.S. history, one-third of the nation's highest court will be women.

Money

Some manufacturing heads back to USA

A small but growing band of U.S. manufacturers are bringing some production to the U.S. from locations as far as China.

Sports

Petersen has Boise State in national title hunt

The Broncos hope to become the first school from outside one of the six major leagues to win the BCS championship.

Life

Profitable 'Step Up' films feed off dance fevericons

Despite a lack of brand-name talent and simplistic plots, the films, the third of which is out today, continue to spin off stars.

Travel

Shutting the door on vacation rentals

New York, Chicago and Maui are grappling with the booming popularity of short-term rentals.

Your Life

States cuts funding for the disabledicons

Cash-strapped states have cut into funding for assistance to the disabled, putting various services in jeopardy for many.

Tech

Amazon's Kindle 3 reader.

Amazon's Kindle adds games

Software developers for the electronic reader have created the device's first games.

Opinion

How one religion helped kill Prop 8

A 1943 Supreme Court ruling about Jehovah�s Witnesses created the precedent to protect same-sex couples.

Markets

Dow S & P 500 NASDAQ Financial markets

Reader poll