October 7 is the 281st day of the year. There are 30 days left until Election Day. On this date in 1955 Beat poet Allen Ginsberg reads his poem "Howl" for the first time at a poetry reading in San Francisco.

* BH: ...for many UW students, the economic crisis is beginning to hit home with their job searches.

* Hands: Urban officials meddling in rural affairs

* MPD: Police investigate robbery at Packer Inn on Cottage Grove Road

* YourPal_Al: Riding the Bus In Madison, Wi-Preacher Man

* Letter From Here: How big is a bubble? Big enough to crash and leave a huge hole in Madison.

* Fanboy: Ryan Adams Set List 10/05/08 Madison, WI: Marathon in Madison

* Dane101 Paparazzi: Ten Ways to Look Fabulous in Photos