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

Tuesday, March 19, 2013  Nixon has selected Julie Gibson, of Jefferson City, to serve as the acting labor department director.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  The Missouri House has given initial approval to a bill changing how the minimum wage required for public construction projects is calculated for most counties.

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

Thursday, December 27, 2012  The average number of people seeking unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008, a sign that the job market is healing.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012  The Labor Department says applications dropped 41,000 from the previous week, when the storm drove applications to their highest level in 18 months. The four week average, a less volatile measure, rose 9,500 to 396,250.

Friday, November 02, 2012  US economy adds 171,000 jobs in October; unemployment rate ticks up to 7.9 percent

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

Friday, March 09, 2012  Employers created 227,000 jobs last month, unemployment rate unchanged at 8.3 percent

Friday, February 17, 2012  Consumer prices rose modest 0.2 percent in January, pushed up by higher costs for gas, clothes

Thursday, December 22, 2011  Unemployment applications drop to lowest since April '08 as job market continues to strengthen

Tuesday, December 13, 2011  The Missouri labor department says it has discovered several people who received unemployment benefits while in prison.

Friday, December 02, 2011  Farmers say new labor rules could keep teens from farm jobs and fewer may go into agriculture

Friday, November 04, 2011  US economy generates 80,000 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls to 9 percent

Friday, February 04, 2011  January employment report expected to show modest gains in hiring as economy picks up.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010  Stocks finish slightly higher as market continues on pace for best December in nearly 20 years.