captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello and good bhoorng. i'm lynn berry.oday we begin with positive economic signs. the u.s. economy seems to be improving as unemployment claims last week were at their lowest level since 2008 and a bailed out american auto company is now showing record profits. nbc's michelle franzen has details. >> reporter: detroit's largest automaker, general motors, posted earnings of $7.6 billion last year, its biggest profit in nearly two decades. at gm's assembly plant in flint, michigan, for the first time in two years gm's overnight shift is back up and running. 750 new full-time jobs with benefits. >> i have a real piece of mind because i feel like i'm back on track. >> reporter: the iconic american company still has a long road ahead. the government still owns a big share of stock and gm still owes billions from the bailout. on the campaign trail mitt romney worked to rub up the crowd in his native miracle michigan giving a nod to its come back. >> i love the auto industry. i'm glad it went through a managed bankruptcy process w