Bush backs aid for automakers...Volatile week...Santa Barbara wildfire

Washington (AP) The White House says it'll support a plan to speed the release of $25 billion in existing loans to the Big Three automakers. But it's rejecting a Democratic proposal to use money from the financial bailout. Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino says the $700 billion rescue package was never intended to help automakers and shouldn't be now.

NEW YORK (AP) Stocks have finished an astonishing week with one more volatile day of trading. The Dow lost nearly 338 points to close at 8,497. For the week it lost 5 percent. The Nasdaq dropped 80 points, and the S&P 500 fell 38.

MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) Firefighters in Southern California say they are trying to work fast, before winds pick up. A fire in Santa Barbara County has burned nearly 4 square miles and destroyed more than 100 homes. Last night the evening winds gusted to 70 miles per hour, pushing the blaze with frightening speed.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska lawmakers are preparing for a special session to amend the state's "safe haven" law. The law was intended to protect unwanted newborns, allowing parents to abandon the children at hospitals. But it contains no age limit, and children as old as 17 have been left.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) The weather looks promising and space shuttle Endeavour is ready to go. It's scheduled for launch in just a couple hours. The astronauts will be ferrying a few additions to the international space station. They'll install a new kitchen, a new bathroom and two more bedrooms.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-14-08 1648CST | save this article / add to your favorites list