President Obama greets patrons at Ross' Restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa, on Tuesday. In 2008, the president's unexpected victory in the state helped propel his campaign. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Ernie Lopez is serving a 60-year prison sentence for a crime he, and medical experts, said he didn't commit. Courtesy of Frontline hide caption

Although the recession ended two years ago, Americans are still feeling the effects. Consumers are continuing to rely on thrifty measures to push their money further. Chris Hondros/Getty Images hide caption

The Fort Calhoun nuclear power station in Fort Calhoun, Neb., currently shut down for refueling, is surrounded by floodwaters from the Missouri River on June 14. Nati Harnik/AP hide caption