The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Thursday, January 10, 2013  Despite signs of economic recovery, hiring remains too weak to rapidly reduce the number of those unemployed.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012  A new report says Missouri's unemployment rate edged higher last month while the number of nonfarm jobs declined.

Friday, April 06, 2012  US hiring slows in March as employers add just 120,000 jobs, unemployment rate dips to 8.2 percent

Saturday, December 10, 2011  Missouri lost 3,300 jobs in November but the state's jobless rate still dropped.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011  After Obama's big speech, Republicans return to work to cut government spending

Wednesday, October 27, 2010  Analysis: On a political salvage mission, Obama pursues votes in states with high unemployment

Monday, September 13, 2010  Missouri economic development officials said the state had a net gain of 3,600 jobs last month while unemployment edged higher.

Friday, September 03, 2010  Private employers hired more workers over the past three month than first thought, lifting hopes for the weak economy. But the unemployment rate rose in August for the first time in four months.

Thursday, August 26, 2010  New requests for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, the first decline in a month and a hopeful sign after a raft of negative economic reports.

Thursday, August 19, 2010  Employers appear to be laying off workers again as applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November.

Friday, August 06, 2010  President Barack Obama is hailing the seventh straight month of private job creation as a good sign for the economy. But he says the progress "needs to come faster."

Friday, August 06, 2010  Private employers hired workers at a weak pace for the third straight month, making it likely that economic growth will slow further in the coming months. The jobless rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent.

Thursday, May 20, 2010  The number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week by the largest amount in three months. The surge is evidence of how volatile the job market remains, even as the economy grows.

Friday, May 07, 2010  Updated with statements by President Barack Obama and by Christina Romer, chairwoman of the president's Council of Economic Advisers.