News Buzz: Economic Troubles Breed Recession Fears, McCain and Obama Trade Barbs

Economists Say Shaky Economy May Last for a While: More than two thirds of economists say that the economy is approaching, or already in the midst of, a recession that will be longer lasting than the one in 2001, a survey by the National Association for Business Economics reports. The association predicts that the economy’s growth will slow to 1.8 percent by the end of this year and that the unemployment rate, currently 6.1 percent, will rise. The predictions were made before the $700 billion bailout became law on Friday--but even with the bill, analysts are far from optimistic. Meanwhile, Wall Street plunged this morning, as investors showed uncertainty over whether the bailout would be enough.

McCain, Obama Camps Trade Barbs: Sarah Palin’s allegation that Barack Obama “pals around with terrorists” because of his links with William Ayers received sharp criticism from Democrats this week, with Obama’s campaign arguing that John McCain is trying to deflect discussions of the economy--before launching its own attacks on McCain’s role in the Keating Five savings and loan scandal in the late 1980s.

Northern California Bus Crash Leaves 10 Dead: Ten people were killed Sunday when a charter bus headed for the Colusa Casino Resort in California drifted off the road. No one from the bus could be identified, and the vehicle had an invalid license plate. “There are still several pieces of this puzzle that’s missing,” said California Highway Patrol spokesperson Robert Kays.