U.S. debt shrinking at glacial pace (USA Today)

Eighteen months into a deep recession triggered by a credit bubble, consumers have made little progress shrinking a mountain of debt. Until they do, the economy will struggle to grow likely for years.

As California struggles, Fitch cuts debt rating (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

California suffered a new setback in its financial crisis on Monday when Fitch Ratings cut its rating on the state’s general obligation debt to just two notches above junk status.