Stocks off lows...Plan "B"...Jobless help gains steam

NEW YORK (AP) Word of a possible alternative plan to provide assistance to the automakers helped to lift stock prices off their lows. The Dow had been down as many as 223 points earlier in the session.

Washington (AP) Democratic leaders in Congress have put off a vote on bailing out the auto industry until next month. They want the Big 3 automakers to present a plan showing how the money would help transform their industry.

WASHINGTON (AP) Today's news on new claims for unemployment benefits was worse than expected. The Labor Department says new jobless claims rose last week to 542,000. That is the highest since the summer of 1992, when the nation was recovering from a recession.

WASHINGTON (AP) The White House says President George W. Bush would sign legislation pending in Congress to extend unemployment benefits. The Senate is expected to take up a bill this week, which has already passed in the House.

UNDATED (AP) Auto club AAA says the national average for regular unleaded gasoline stands at $2.02. The average in 23 states is now below $2.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-20-08 1330CST | save this article / add to your favorites list