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• The old democratic ritual of a single Tuesday in November when citizens commune in lines at schools and libraries and churches is fading across much of the United States. Why not just mail it in?
• Although the two candidates have yet to meet for their first debate, voting by mail is under way in two dozen states, with more to follow. In three -- Idaho, South Dakota and Vermont -- voters already can show up in person.
• Wyoming begins its in-person voting on Thursday and so does Iowa, one of a handful of states considered up for grabs in the neck-and-neck presidential race.
• ___

• NEW YORK (AP) -- Before the Sept. 11 attacks, the Rev. Carl Keyes was a little-known pastor of a small New York City congregation searching for members and money.
• When the twin towers fell, his fortunes changed.
• Donors poured $2.5 million into the minister's charity to help 9/11 victims. More opportunities to raise relief money would come later, with at least another $2.3 million collected for efforts along the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, in the poorest corners of West Virginia and Tennessee, and even in remote African villages.
• Tens of millions more flowed through his fingers from the sale of church properties.
• But Keyes, a one-time construction worker, did more than help the needy with the millions donated -- he helped himself.
• ___

• ISLAMABAD (AP) -- The Pakistani government on Monday distanced itself from an offer by one of its Cabinet ministers to pay $100,000 for anyone who kills the maker of an anti-Islam film, saying the offer does not represent official government policy.
• The offer by Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has drawn criticism in Pakistan even though anger against the film runs high in this predominantly Muslim country.
• Bilour said Saturday that he would pay the reward money out of his own pocket.

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