The Pew Charitable Trusts

Cold-weather states across the country will need hundreds of thousands of tons of salt to keep roads and highways safe this winter. But prices are running two and three times higher than last year, forcing some states and municipalities to make do with less.

Aug. 27, 12 noon, EDTAmong the many undercurrents at the Democratic National Convention this week is talk of the party's rising stars. Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, for example, made news on Tuesday when he announced he is likely to run for governor in 2010, when the state's current chief executive, Democrat Ted Kulongoski, must give up the seat. Rancher-turned-governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana also attracted attention Tuesday when he delivered a crowd-pleasing attack on Republican presidential nominee John McCain in a high-visibility speaking slot just ahead of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D). Among the most interesting subplots of the convention is speculation over who would replace Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the U.S. Senate if the two Democrats are successful in November. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) of Illinois and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) of Delaware would appoint replacements for Obama and Biden, and the rumors over the candidates' potential substitutes are already flying. Of course, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) also could be called on to choose a Senate replacement if McCain wins the White House. Find out which potential Senate substitutes are being mentioned in Arizona, Delaware and Illinois by reading Stateline.org's Three governors face possible Senate picks. -John Gramlich Comments