Oil Down Two Days in a Row:

The price of a barrel of oil fell for the second day in a row as American drivers continued to reduce the amount of gasoline they use by cutting down on unnecessary driving and using vehicles that get improved gasoline mileage. Reserves, which usually shrink during the summer months, reportedly are growing. (See The New York Times story.) Nationwide, the price of gasoline rose 35 percent in the past year.

Update: NPR reports that oil is down for a third day in a row this morning.