“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It’s six-thirty on the dot, and this is the evening news, bringing you today’s top stories from around the world.”

In Washington, lawmakers met behind closed doors today to discuss the growing energy crisis. Officials say fuel prices may rise again before the end of the month, as the nation continues to feel the strain of limited oil supplies.

Meanwhile, in Paris, world leaders gathered for a new round of economic talks aimed at stabilizing the dollar and curbing inflation across Europe. Reports suggest cautious optimism, though no concrete agreements have yet been reached.

And back here at home, the weather remains fair across most of the Midwest, with clear skies expected through the weekend. In California, however, residents are bracing for heavy rains moving in from the Pacific.

Stay tuned for more updates after the break. This is your evening report — steady and clear — right here on Channel 9 News Radio, where the world comes to you, every hour on the hour.