scott. and, we'll see if the holiday shopping season starts with a bang or a whimper. tomorrow, the markets are closed secrets of successful family firms." the final phase for settlements has begun for the b.p. oil disaster. people and businesses getting cash can opt for a lump sum payment, if they agree not to sue b.p. or other firms involved in the spill. the other option? smaller payments every three months. but doing that leaves open the chance to sue the oil giant for further damages. about 450,000 claims were turned in between mid-june and yesterday's deadline. a mixed report card on the obama administration's stimulus plan from the congressional budget office. the american recovery and reinvestment act put between 1.5 and 3.5 million americans to work during the third quarter of this year. but the cost of the legislation is going up. the c.b.o. now says it will total $814 billion. originally, the cost was pegged at $787 billion. it's not only holiday season, it's also open enrollment

scott. also, we'll see october's reports on new and existing home sales. and monday, with the unemployment rate at more than 9.5%. will the u.s. ever return to full employment? we look at the new reality when it comes to jobs. >> susie: there's a new rule to protec consumers from companies promising to help with mortgage modifications. the federal trade commission says those firms can no longer charge an up-front fee without giving the borrower a written offer to lower loan payments. other no-no's: mortgage-relief companies can no longer tell customers to stop talking to their lenders. and the firms also have to back up their claims, showing borrowers evidence of past successes. >> tom: a legal victory today for 10,000 ground zero rescue and clean up workers. they sued new york city over exposure to potentially toxic dust from the world trade center attack. firefighters, police officers and other workers blamed city officials for sending people to the site without proper protective gear. tod

scott and the fighting irish were much better. they win 57-44. montgomery just must be steaming. stanford and st. maries in tournament action tonight. >> five points. >> five points. 8% from the field. you have to be a fan to watch that. >> yeah. thank you. >>> coming up tonight on bay area news at 7:00 the holidays are not just about hunting for the best bargain it's a time for those that have struggled to benefit from the boom. the reason small retailers have hope this holiday season. that story and more coming up. that's our report for new. >> as be-- as we leave you live pictures from union square. a lot of people packed into union square waiting to see that tree it will up. have a good evening everyone.

the storm caused major damage in montgomery county. about 17,000 people woke up without region. >> not just the trees, but the power lines sparked a fire in scott plains, new jersey. the trees brought down the lines, which shot up a ball fire. >> 65 miles per hour gusts in trenton new jersey. part of a hangar roof blown off as well. the power lines knocked down leg trips to to 20,000 customers around trenton. crews still assessing the extent of the storm damage. >> the high winds still blowing around here at this hour. tom? >> a couple of good things. we have some good news. the wind advisory has been canceled, expired. we have wind gusts, but nothing damaging. don't think we'll see an investigation of the possible tornado downtown. they are investigating the storm up in baltimore as a possible tornado. we were here until 2:00 yesterday; and for the most part, they were just incredible straight-line winds. some of the storms were moving at 70 miles per hour. right now the winds are -- you know, they're still out there. 25 miles per hou

as we cross montgomery county on the first section of the icc. seven miles from shady grove to georgia avenue. 22 minutes on local roads. seven minutes on the icc. >> we are close to opening the first section of the intercounty connector. >> reporter: ray feldman says the time is measured in weeks as the project closes in on a late december or early january opening for the first section. >> there are still a lot of items on the punch list. >> reporter: this is the most critical of the final preparations. the electronic system that will make this maryland's first completely cash-free only electronic toll road. radio devices will read ez-pass tags or cameras will read license plates for a billing charge. there will be no toll booths or slowing down to pay. >> if you will use it more than two or three times a year, having the ez-pass will save you money. you will not get charged that $3 fee every trip you take on the icc. >> reporter: 2340u -- now with the road just weeks away from a probable opening, it is time for you to think about how you will p