Is a bottom anywhere in sight for the stock market or is the worst yet to come? Eddie Arruza discusses the country's economic outlook with financial analyst Terry Savage and the Chicago Tribune's Greg Burns.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped below 7,000 for the first time since 1997 closing at 6,762. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" joins us with more.

Starbucks is hoping its new instant coffee attracts some buzz and jolts the company's lackluster performance. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz talks about how his coffee empire is weathering the weak economy.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Embattled Sen. Roland Burris refuses to step down; former Chicago Alderman Ed Vrdolyak escapes jail time; Gov. Quinn running for re-election in 2010; Chicago Public School officials vote to close or consolidate 16 underperforming schools; federal bailout recipient Northern Trust Bank under fire for sponsoring a golf tournament and throwing lavish parties; and Chicago mourns the loss of Bulls legends Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr. Guests:

"The Fixer," Stephanie Zimmerman, tells us how the troubled economy has become the bait for drawing more victims into consumer fraud. She shares the details of some of those scams and how to avoid them.

The federal government has injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the nation's banking system, but two of the country's biggest banks are teetering on insolvency. What will it take to save the floundering financial industry? That is our focus tonight in our economic segment, "The Bottom Line." More on "The Bottom Line"

Understanding the nation's current financial crisis is no easy task, but has the press helped or hurt the public's understanding of the economic downturn? Carol Marin sits down with a panel of business reporters who discuss the media's coverage of the financial downturn.

Only 600 condominiums sold in downtown Chicago last year, compared to the previous year when nearly 4,000 sold. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" joins us with the details of that story plus the stories behind the rest of the week's business headlines.

We hear what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read some viewer mail.

Tonight's panel discusses the week's top headlines: Calls for embattled Senator Roland Burris's ouster are mounting; CTA officials warn of a major budget shortfall, is another fare hike on the horizon?; Rahm Emanuel's vacant congressional seat a hot commodity; President Obama lays out his mortgage plan; and the Bulls shake up their roster at the trade deadline. Guests:

President Obama unveils his plan to stem the tide of home foreclosures and resuscitate the housing market. What are its key elements and can it work? We take a look in tonight's installment of our economic series, "The Bottom Line." More about The Bottom Line

As President Obama signed the $787 billion dollar stimulus bill into law today, the Dow plunged 298 points to 7552. We find out why this happened today and what the outlook is for the economy.

There has been more upheaval in the Chicago media asthe Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times announced some changes. Kris Kridel of WBBM's Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" will be here with those details plus the stories behind the rest of the week's business headlines.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Chicago and Illinois awaiting much-needed federal stimulus dollars; former governor Blagojevich slams Illinois lawmakers for infidelity and alcoholism; startling allegations of corporal punishment in the Chicago Public Schools; downtown parking meter rates going way up today; the Chicago Auto Show drives into town; Cubs and Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training this weekend; and Chicago Bulls legend Johnny "Red" Kerr honored this week. Guests:

The proposed merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment may drive concert ticket prices even higher. The Sun-Times pop music critic, Jim DeRogatis, joins us with the ramifications of the consolidation.

The new U.S. treasury secretary unveiled the latest proposal to rescue the nation's banks and the price tag is in the trillions of dollars. What has happened to the money dispersed so far? Eddie Arruza talks to two top economists about the bailout plan in our economic series, "The Bottom Line." More information on "The Bottom Line"