GOLDEN, Colo. -- With two congressmen and a crowdful of volunteers looking on, CUNA and its partners last Wednesday presented a newly built home to Army Sgt. Travis Strong, an injured Iraq War veteran.

ATLANTA -- Members of credit unions that participate in shared branching now have the largest number of branches in the country from which to choose, second only to Bank of America.

NEW ORLEANS -- Based on early contacts, CUNA Mutual Group Tuesday reported "no major losses" so far from Mississippi and Louisiana CUs as a result of Hurricane Gustav but suggested because of the storm's slow moving path there could be future flood damage to property of policyholders.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Presumptive GOP nominee John McCain needs to use the rest of the Republican National Convention to reemphasize his maverick side and show how he'll govern differently from President Bush in order to appeal to independent and undecided voters, pollsters said.