[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/consumer_reports_morning_update__504386634/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] Consumer Reports Morning Update
Good morning, here are the top stories our editors are keeping an eye on today.

Economic Stimulus Bill:
House and Senate negotiators worked out a compromise on the stimulus bill. The $789 billion package still has to be approved by the House and Senate before being sent to the president. (Washington Post)

Who benefits? First-time home-buyers would get a larger tax break. Laid-off workers would receive higher unemployment benefits and new subsidies for heath insurance. And all but the wealthiest workers would soon get a tax credit worth as much as $800 per couple. (Los Angeles Times)

Bank Bailout:
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, rebuffing criticism of his bank bailout plan for not providing significant details, told lawmakers on Wednesday that the administration would move swiftly to complete its work on the plan. (New York Times)

The leaders of eight banks and securities firms that have gotten $165 billion in federal aid were barraged by U.S. lawmakers, who showed little patience for a charm offensive aimed at defusing ire over pay and lending. (Wall Street Journal)

Digital TV Transition:
The president signed a bill Wednesday to delay the mandatory conversion from analog to digital broadcasts until June 12. (Los Angeles Times)

In a statement, President Obama said:*"This law, which was crafted in a bipartisan way and passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, ensures that our citizens will have more time to prepare for the conversion. [...] My administration will continue to work with leaders in Congress, broadcasters, consumer groups and the telecommunications industry to improve the information and assistance available to our citizens in advance of June 12." (White House)

Some stations may make the switch on the original deadline date--February 17--but Consumers Union says there are viewers in some cities that just aren't ready yet. (CR Electronics Blog)

Salmonella Outbreak:
The president of a peanut company and a plant manager accused of knowingly distributing contaminated food refused to answer questions posed by members of Congress on Wednesday, citing their Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. (CNN)


The peanut-related recall has renewed calls for increased oversight of the nation's foodmakers, and even regulators are saying they need to change procedures to better protect the public. (USA Today)

Auto Industry:
General Motors and Chrysler are trying to show the government reforms so they can get billions more in federal loans. But to prove they are worthy of additional federal loans, they still must negotiate concessions from the United Auto Workers and their bondholders and present them Tuesday as part of so-called viability plans to the government. (Washington Post)

GM chief Rick Wagoner says his company is crouched and ready to pounce if the auto market begins to rebound. "We just need to get the storm over, and we're about ready to go," he said. (USA Today)
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