George and Martha Washington, Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" and other costumed characters greeted thousands of visitors Friday as the National Museum of American History reopened after a two-year, $85 million renovation.

Democratic leaders ordered Detroit's Big Three automakers Friday to submit what amounts to a detailed loan application to Congress so lawmakers can decide whether to give the beleaguered industry an emergency $25 billion lifeline.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has signed a bill that adds a 30-day age limit to a safe-haven law led to the abandonment of nearly three dozen children, including some teenagers as old as 17.

In a final diplomatic dash, President George W. Bush on Friday moved to steady a shuddering economy and speed up the demise of North Korea's nuclear weaponry.

Stocks are down, down, down. But student interest in economics appears to be trending upward.