TOP NEW STORIES (nov 18, 2011)

1. The House votes Friday on whether to adopt a constitutional balanced budget amendment as a means of forcing Congress to come to grips with its inability to deal with spiraling deficits.

2. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, the New York Stock Exchange and the subways to raise their voices against what they say is corporate excess.

3.  Just as the U.S. economy is making progress despite Europe's turmoil, here come two new threats.