Lawmakers are returning to Rhode Island's Statehouse amid a budget crisis, a recession and soaring unemployment. (www.boston.com)

The recession figures to tone down the flashiness of this week's International Consumer Electronics Show, but the lineup of innovative products likely will measure up to those of past years. (www.msnbc.msn.com)

By Mike Ramsey and Alan Ohnsman Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp.’s US sales plunged to a 49-year low in 2008, dragged down by a 31 percent slide in December as demand was ravaged by the recession and concern that the biggest domestic ...US Auto Sales Fall One-Third, Capping Woeful 2008 CNNMoney.comAuto Sales Continue to Skid Wall Street... (news.google.com)

Open source offers solid footing for those wanting to keep their jobs in the recession. (news.cnet.com)

The Obamas settled into their first day in Washington today, with daughters Sasha and Malia attending their new school and the president-elect trying to inject a sense of urgency into congressional leaders about tackling the recession.Video: Raw Video: Obama Girls Go Off to School AssociatedPressObama's girls enroll for classes at private schoo... (news.google.com)

The recession figures to tone down the flashiness of this week's International Consumer Electronics Show, but the lineup of innovative products likely will measure up to those of past years.RPT-CES-In tough times, Vegas gadget show gets smaller ReutersTrade Shows Are Likely to Be More Subdued Wall Street Journal (news.google.com)

Handheld video game players and satellite radio devices find less favor among North American consumers in a recession, while mobile and Internet services hold their own, according to a Forrester Research survey. (news.cnet.com)