Ford Motor Co. says its U.S. sales fell 48 percent in February, proof that huge rebates and low-interest financing aren’t enough to entice fearful consumers to make a major purchase.

Gov. Mark Sanford hasn’t decided whether to request the federal stimulus money but says, “I think in some cases it’s going to come with such strings attached that we probably can’t accept some of the money.“

President Obama will paint a sobering picture of a contracting economy Tuesday night.

627K new jobless claims; continuing claims near 5M

The stimulus bill could directly impact your wallet.

Consumer spending and incomes fall; savings rise

Gov. Mark Sanford is vehemently against the federal economic stimulus package. But if it does pass, he says he’ll have to decide whether to request the $3.2 billion allotted for South Carolina.

A North Carolina school board said teacher layoffs are a real possibility if the economy continues to decline.

According to executive search firm CTPartners’ 2009 “Hot Jobs” report, as government rescue plans unfold and companies are restructured “Wall Street in turmoil” will be hiring for a number of positions.

Existing-home sales weakened against a backdrop of an eroding economy, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the measure “isn’t nearly tough enough” on struggling automakers. The Kentucky Republican says a primary weakness in the measure is with the so-called “car czar.“ McConnell says that post wouldn’t have the power to force the car companies to make the tough concessions needed to ensure their survival.

Stocks finished at their lows of the session after the automakers pleaded for relief during a second day of hearings in Washington. The heads of General Motors Ford and Chrysler are asking for a massive infusion of cash to prevent millions of layoffs and stave off bankruptcy.

Investors have been looking at mixed economic and earnings data for clues about the health of the economy.

There have been a lot of comparisons made between the current global economic crisis and the Great Depression. Someone who lived through the Depression tells us what it was like.

The Dow is down 645.62, or 6.97 percent, to 8,612.48. The blue chips hadn’t fallen below the 9,000 level since Aug. 6, 2003.