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• ABC 20 TOP STORIES VIDEO
Senate Bill Will Extend First Time Home Buyer's Credit
If you're in the market to buy a home, but you're waiting for lawmakers on Capitol Hill to extend the first time home buyer's tax credit, you may be in luck.
Thursday the U.S. Senate voted on a bill to expand the program, aimed at getting buyers back in to the slumping housing market.
The strong senate vote could be an indication that we still need to do more to keep the economic recovery from faltering. The President of the Capital Area Association of Realtors, in Springfield, agrees.
"I think that this tax credit and the low interest rates are going to spur a lot more people getting into the market" Linda Nelson told ABC News Channel 20 Thursday. "And those who maybe are on the fence might make a decision to go ahead and either sell and/or buy their homes."
The bill also provides tax relief for businesses that have been losing money, and extends unemployment benefits another 20 weeks. If it passes workers in some of the nation's hardest hit states would be allowed to collect unemployment benefits for nearly two straight years, which would be a record.
The bill now goes back to the House, which is expected to quickly approve it, and send it to President Obama for his signature.
Posted: Thursday, November 5 2009, 07:56 PM CST
• ABC 20 LOCAL NEWS
State senator robbed in bake shop
November 20, 2009 16:50 EST
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- State Sen. Dave Koehler was attacked by a gunman who wanted more than cash from the Peoria Democrat.
Koehler was painting late Thursday in an artisan bakery located behind his home when a robber came through an unlocked door and demanded money. He says the $80 to $100 he in his pocket was not enough, with the man also demanding his cell phone.
Koehler says he decided he would tackle the man and take away his gun. The man ran off, and later arrested. But before he ran, the gunman bit Koehler, breaking a finger.
But the real damage, Koehler says, is to the reputation of his struggling neighborhood, which he has been trying to turn around.
Koehler is the latest Illinois legislator robbed. On Sunday, state Rep. Annazette Collins, D-Chicago, was robbed of her purse at gunpoint.
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• BUSINESS NEWS
Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens
NEW YORK (AP) -- The stock market is losing ground for a third straight day as investors grow uneasy about a rising dollar and spiking demand for the safest government debt.
• CONSUMER INFO
P&G recalls Vicks nasal spray after bacteria found
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Procter & Gamble Co. is recalling some 120,000 bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray after the company found bacteria in some samples during routine testing. ...
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Procter & Gamble Co. is recalling some 120,000 bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray after the company found bacteria in some samples during routine testing. ...
• SCIENCE/TECH NEWS
IN THE NEWS: GOOGLE TO PROVIDE CAPTIONING FOR YOUTUBE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- "Closed captioning of this YouTube video provided by ...
• GET THIS
MYSTERIOUS DECORATIONS
HERSCHER, Ill. (AP) -- This isn't a case of breaking and entering -- more like breaking and decorating.
