WASHINGTON -- Faced with record levels of red-ink into the foreseeable future, Washington is spending $2.5 million to create buzz for the census - by advertising during the Super Bowl.

The Census Bureau is hoping to exploit the strong ratings from this annual attraction, aiming to get more participation from people who now seem disinclined to mail back a government questionnaire or even answer the door.

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would create an independent Financial Markets Commission to investigate the financial crisis.

The measure, approved by a 92-4 vote, is sponsored by Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. It was approved as an amendment to broader legislation aimed at beefing up enforcement of financial fraud laws.

The proposed commission that would be created under ...