AP - For a city already struggling with high unemployment, widespread foreclosures and deep budget cuts, here was another crisis: Wind-whipped fires tearing through row after row of homes, some of them abandoned.

Reuters - The federal government should take mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac off life support sooner rather than later, the Mortgage Bankers Association urged on Wednesday.

Reuters - The federal government should take mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac off life support sooner rather than later, the Mortgage Bankers Association urged on Wednesday.

AP - MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SLIP: Applications for home loans dipped last week as mortgage rates ticked up slightly from the lowest level in decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Reuters - Americans applied to buy homes at the highest pace last week since May, but more than 8 of every 10 loan requests was for a refinancing, Mortgage Bankers Association data show on Wednesday.

I will watch anything even remotely associated with Ricky Gervais, so I’m looking forward to Cemetery Junction . 10 Great Classic Films About Politics Top 20 Demonic Possession Horror Movies

I will watch anything even remotely associated with Ricky Gervais, so I’m looking forward to Cemetery Junction .

After a few weeks of Oscar bait, we’ll be happy to see cardboard characters and easy heroism again.

After a few weeks of Oscar bait, we’ll be happy to see cardboard characters and easy heroism again. The best part, for me, is that they’re remaking (or making sequels) to every action film from my childhood. I won’t even have to think.

AP - NEW FORECLOSURE PLAN: The Obama administration is trying to revive its attempts to tackle the foreclosure crisis with a new effort to assist homeowners who owe more on their properties than their homes are worth.