Ex-NFL star helped kill canines, report says. Imprisoned former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick helped drown dogs by forcing their heads into a five-gallon water bucket, a new report says. Though Vick first claimed that he never participated in the actual killing of animals connected with his illegal Bad Newz Kennels fighting ring, a U.S. Department of Agriculture statement says the ex-quarterback admitted hanging dogs that didn’t fight well and using family pets as bait for aggressive dogs. Vick is due in a Virginia court tomorrow where he’s expected to plead guilty to state charges of torturing animals and promoting dog-fighting. The former star is already serving federal time until summer of next year. Formerly the NFL’s highest-paid player, Vick reportedly washes pots and pans for 12 cents an hour.

Surrounded by members of his transition economic advisory board, Barack Obama held his first press briefing as president-elect in Chicago Friday afternoon. The briefing, which was held after Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden met with the advisors, addressed the United States’ struggling economy. Obama outlined four points he would focus on to help the economy when he gets into office stressing that he doesn’t, “underestimate the enormity of the crisis,” and that “the choices we make will be difficult.” The first policy he mentioned would be a rescue plan for the middle class, which would include extending unemployment benefits, in the wake of a job loss of 1.2 million in this country this year. Second would be another fiscal stimulus plan. Thirdly, he would review the Bush administration’s financial program to make sure that it’s helping regular families and not CEOs of big companies. And lastly, he and his team will look into policies to grow and strengthen the middle class, he said. Obama was quick to point out a couple times during the briefing that, since the nation only has one president at a time, he can’t really get anything done now. After the briefing he fielded questions on his family’s dog choice (they want a shelter dog, but it has to be hypoallergenic since one of his daughters is allergic) and school choice (Michelle Obama is looking into schools in D.C. now and is making a decision).