Attorney General Bob McDonnell says a nationwide settlement with Countrywide Financial that Virginia joined could provide some mortgage relief for some of the lender’s Virginia customers. McDonnell says the settlement will provide nearly $213 million in projected relief for more than 8,900 homeowners in Virginia. McDonnell also is proposing legislation to provide further assistance to homeowners.

Although Detroit’s woes have been well documented, the U.S. retains considerable industrial might. As college football’s recently concluded season of bowls and “classics” suggests, football factories are running at full throttle.

Economic turmoil puts extra demand on food banks and similar insitutions. More families turn to such agencies for nourishment of body and spirit; as their portfolios shrink, donors may fear they cannot give as much as they would like.

Barack Obama endorsed both teams in the 2008 World Series; for similar reasons we decline to make an endorsement in tomorrow’s Tech-UVa game.