The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
Obama: ‘We Cannot Delay’ Stimulus
President-elect Obama said Monday that the government has “to act boldly and swiftly” to get the economy going again, hinting in his remarks that any congressional delay will make things worse. Obama, speaking to reporters after a meeting with his economic team at the Washington transition headquarters, again expressed the kind of urgency he stressed in meetings with congressional leaders throughout the day. (The Hill)
Auto Sales Way Down
The December and full-year 2008 auto sales data are starting to come out and Ford -- the first of Detroit's Big Three to report today -- said December sales were down 32.4 percent compared to December 2007, while GM said December sales were off 31 percent. Toyota reported December sales were down 37 percent. (Washington Post)
Inauguration Commute Likely to Be Long
On a typical weekday, hundreds of thousands of people commute to the nation's capital, snarling roads and packing subway trains and buses during peak hours. Imagine multiplying that several times for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20. "I don't want in any way to discourage anyone," said the District's city administrator, Dan Tangherlini. "I just don't want them to come and be completely shocked by what they find." (AP/Washington Times)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Man Killed in Fire Returned to Save Pet
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office said a Walkersville man who died from injuries he sustained in a fire at his home had gone back inside to save a family pet. Michael Aquino, 60, discovered the fire Sunday night and got his family out safely, then went back in the house, according to a fire marshal’s office news release. (Herald-Mail)
Have Your Own Ball
For a fee of $200,900, Lansdowne Resort, which is just east of Leesburg, will lavishly wine and dine and provide elegant quarters for up to eight people who want to mark President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in style. That comes to slightly more than $25,000 a person. As part of the three-day package, guests will be transported to the area in a private jet from anywhere in the continental United States. Upon arrival, high-end, round-the-clock pampering will be the order of this luxurious excursion. (Loudoun Times)
