The Democratic Congress finds itself unwilling or unable to approve a $25 billion bailout for the Detroit Three.
Wall Street hit levels not seen since 2003, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling below the 8,000 mark, as the fate of Detroit's Big Three automakers and the economy disheartened investors.
Michigan's October unemployment rate surged to 9.3 percent, its highest rate since July 1992.
People in Kalamazoo have been given the all-clear, health officials saying the water is safe.