Girl's body found...Shuttle launch set...health care poll

SANFORD, N.C. (AP) Authorities in North Carolina say they have found the body of a 5-year-old girl who disappeared a week ago.

Fayetteville police say searchers found the body of Shaniya (shuh-NY'-uh) Davis off a road southeast of Sanford in the central part of the state. Two people have been charged in Shaniya's disappearance, including her 25-year-old mother.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) Six astronauts are on board space shuttle Atlantis for this afternoon's launch. The odds of acceptable weather have improved to 80 percent. Atlantis is loaded with big spare parts for the international space station.

Washington (AP) Today's report on retail sales is renewing questions about whether the economic recovery can be sustained.

Even though retail sales rose more than expected in October, that was largely due to a big rebound in auto sales. And overall, consumer spending remains under pressure. Still, stocks have been solidly higher today.

WASHINGTON (AP) Americans believe major changes in health care are needed, but they're worried about hidden costs. Those are among the findings of a new Associated Press poll. It finds that 43 percent of the people who were surveyed oppose the health care plans being discussed in Congress, while 41 percent support them.

WASHINGTON (AP) Some business leaders say electric cars are the best way to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

They've launched a new coalition to urge the federal government to make a major investment in electric transportation. The group includes top executives of more than a dozen companies, including Nissan and Fedex.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-16-09 1257CST | save this article / add to your favorites list