The Answer to the Economic Crisis?

We assume you are reading the front page stories, and thus we assume you've read about the request for the second half of TARP funds to be released (the remaining $350 billion) by the current administration on behalf of the incoming one. So, we think the story you may have ignored is on Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech on what steps the Fed thinks should be taken in the coming months.

Here's why you care: Bernanke's speech is important because it shows that he's not only looking at the stimulus package, the remaining TARP funds (and how they can be used) but other measures. You could read the speech for yourself or you could let the Washington Post's Neil Irwin do the work for you. He's got a great summary. The important point here is that Mr. Bernanke's speech really gives a window into all the ways the Fed, Treasury, the FDIC plan to act in the coming months. And, of course, we like to keep you looking ahead. Apparently, Mr. Bernanke and Mr. Irwin do too. Take three minutes to be ahead of the curve.

Editor's note: When we posted our futures calendar this past Friday - Next Week's News Today - we listed AIG CEO Edward Libby at the National Press Club this coming Thursday, 1/15. That's been postponed.