Safeway has made a $1.7 billion offer for Vons markets. Says Bob Mills, "The amount of the bid became public after a checkout clerk was overheard yelling 'Price check on the company!'" He adds, "the original offer was $2 billion, but then Safeway pulled out a huge stack of double-value coupons." Send this story to a friend 1 A massive cold front swept across the nation this week, but it's not expected to affect the election. Says Hamilton, "The Weather Channel said the five-day forecast for Bob Dole is three days." Send this story to a friend 2 The Democratic National Committee finally released thousands of pages of financial disclosure information. Says Vince Vieceli, "Unfortunately, they released them from a third-floor balcony in New York during the parade for the Yankees." Send this story to a friend 3