Auto industry executives, from left, General Motors Chief Executive Officer Richard Wagoner; Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Robert Nardelli; and Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally

WASHINGTON, DC: November 20 - Democratic leaders in Congress sidetracked legislation to bail out the auto industry Thursday and demanded the Big 3 develop a plan assuring the money would make them economically viable.

"Until they show us the plan, we cannot show them the money," Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a hastily called news conference in the Capitol.

She and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Congress would return to work in early December to vote on legislation if the General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC produce an acceptable plan. [More]

President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the reopening ceremony for the National Museum of American History, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, in Washington.

WASHINGTON, DC: November 20 - Because of the tight job market, the White House says President George W. Bush would sign legislation pending in Congress to further extend unemployment benefits.

The Senate this week is expected to take up a bill already passed by the House that would extend unemployment insurance for those whose benefits have run out. The Senate vote could occur as early as Thursday evening and would require support from 60 senators to pass.

White House press secretary Dana Perino says Bush is "always concerned" when people lose their jobs and is eager to help ease their economic situations. [More]

Uncle Grumpy's Furniture & Mattresses in downtown Bay Minette.

BAY MINETTE: November 20 - When you visit Uncle Grumpy’s Furniture & Mattresses in Bay Minette you’ll discover two things: they aren’t and you won’t be! “Grumpy” that is.

Uncle Grumpy’s really is a different kind of furniture store. When you walk in the front door you’ll notice two things immediately; the store is just crammed full of seemingly every style of furniture for every room in the house and – unlike the norm in furniture shopping – you weren’t accosted by a salesperson aggressively pouncing on you. Both are very pleasant surprises.

Store owners “Edge” and Carol Edgington set out to create a different type of furniture store. Carol points out that, “I’ve spent over 40 years in the furniture industry and I’ve not only learned what people want from their furniture shopping experience but also seen the growth of the corporate, chain-type stores that sadly, have taken the experience to a used-car purchase atmosphere and I’m not having it. We become friends with our customers. We don’t just sell them furniture once, once they meet us they stay with us for life.” [More]

A man checks stock prices online at a TD Ameritrade brokerage Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 in New York.

NEW YORK CITY: November 20 - U.S. investors remained cautious Thursday about the struggling economy but found some optimism following reports that a big investor in Citigroup Inc. plans to boost his stake in the company. Dow futures are down 35 after a 428-point drop yesterday.

Worries about the fate of Detroit's three automakers and broader fears about the struggling economy remained. But a report that Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud plans to increase his stake in Citigroup back to 5 percent helped pull stock futures contracts off their lows. The report from Zawya Dow Jones said the prince's holdings are less than 4 percent and said he offered his support of the company's management. The report also said Citi has raised $50 billion in private capital, besides $25 billion drawn from the U.S. government's efforts to stabilize banks.

A call to Citigroup for comment was not immediately returned. [More]

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 in Washington, before the House Financial Services Committee.

WASHINGTON, DC: November 20 - Pounded by a fierce financial crisis, the country is sinking deeper into economic despair and is likely to be in the hole well into next year, forcing more Americans into the ranks of the unemployed.

The gloomy outlook from the Federal Reserve came as hopes dimmed that Congress could secure a fresh $25 billion rescue package for the tottering U.S. auto industry before lawmakers quit for the year.

With economic troubles cutting into customers' appetites, businesses will remain in a cost-cutting mode, keeping layoffs high. [More]

EASTERN SHORE: November 20 – Baldwin County Sherriff’s Officials are warning women particularly of at least two men who were suspected of impersonating police officers and pulling women over.

Sherriff’s officials said that two separate incidents occurred with what they believe are two separate men. On Tuesday, a man driving a light-colored sports car, believed by the witness to be a Dodge Charger, turned on a blue light on the dashboard and pulled the witness over in the Spanish Fort Area.

The witness, a woman, said the man stopped her just after 6 pm and asked her to exit the vehicle. She went on to say that she was uncomfortable with the man because he didn’t show a badge, nor was he in uniform so she asked him to follow her to her grandmother’s home. [More]