Local Leads: 11/24/2008

News you need to know

By CHARLIE BRAGALE

Updated 3:49 PM EST, Mon, Nov 24, 2008

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The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

WIZARDS COACH FIRED
The Washington Wizards have fired head coach Eddie Jordan. The Wizards have started the season with a 1-10 record. Citing sources familiar with the situation, the Washington Post reported that Jordan was informed of the decision Monday morning. Jordan attended the NBC4 Food 4 Families food drive early Monday morning at the Verizon Center. (NBCWashington)

CHEVY CHASE DOUBLE HOMICIDE
The bodies of a husband and wife were found inside their home Saturday night in the quiet Chevy Chase area of northwest Washington. Concerned residents had not heard from the couple, who lived in the 5300 block of Belt Road, so they called police to investigate. Officers found two bodies inside. Police identified the bodies as Dr. Michael Spevak, 68, and his wife Virginia Spevak, 67. (NBCWashington)

CITIGROUP
The government said last night that it will provide a multi-billion-dollar backstop for Citigroup, revamping emergency efforts yet again to head off the failure of a company more deeply intertwined with the financial system than nearly any other. (Washington Post)

VARIABLE SPEED LIMITS
A warning to drivers: Watch the speed limit approaching the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The variable speed limit signs are being used until 8 p.m. Monday and between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday for the seven miles between Interstate 95/495 between Springfield and the bridge. Virginia State Police will be enforcing the changing speed limits. If you don't slow down, you risk a ticket. (wtop.com)

GAS PRICES FALL
Gasoline prices continued to sink, falling for the 67th day in a row, according to a national survey of gas station credit card swipes released Sunday. (CNNMoney)

AUTO LOAN DELINQUENCIES
In yet another bad sign for the auto industry, car loan delinquencies rose again in the third quarter, putting up to $22.9 billion at risk for banks, finance companies and automakers who dole out loans directly to consumers. Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit for credit-rating agency Experian's auto group, says a preliminary study of 30-day delinquencies shows an 8.1% increase over a year earlier. That means $22.9 billion worth of loans are 30 days late. (USAToday)

UNHAPPY PEOPLE WATCH TV
A 30-year study of television viewing habits published in the December issue of scientific journal Social Indicators Research suggests that unhappy people watch considerably more TV, vote less, read fewer newspapers and are generally less socially active than happier people. While some of that may not be breaking news, the study's authors took particular interest in how happiness shaped TV viewing. The University of Maryland researchers noted that TV is more popular than many other leisure-time activities, considering that viewers don't have to leave the comfort of their homes, dress up, plan ahead or expend much energy. Perhaps it's not surprising that TV takes up more than half of Americans' free time. (Baltimore Sun)