Foreclosure filings in the United States jumped in July, again setting a record for the third time in five months. The increase was due to falling home prices and the recession, which kept some homeowners from making payments or refinancing.

Paul Solman: In preparation for our NewsHour event with Ben Bernanke in Kansas City last night, we interviewed a variety of former Fed officials to discuss the past, present, and future of the central bank. Two especially intriguing interviewees…

In other news, better-than-expected earnings from several companies, combined with strong housing figures pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 9,000 for the first time since January, and three mayors in New Jersey were arrested on corruption charges.