After update to Org-mode version 8.3.1 (8.3.1-16-gf6aa53-elpa) the property "CLOCK_MODELINE_TOTAL" value "today" has no effect. The modeline timing for a task display the total time for the task, not the time since the start of the current day.
GNU Emacs 25.0.50.1 (x86_64-apple-darwin14.4.0, NS appkit-1348.17 Version 10.10.4 (Build 14E46)) of 2015-08-12 Regards, Dmitri