November 21, 2009
Mind and Money
State unemployment rate up slightly to 9.3 percent
Washington's unemployment rate increased slightly to 9.3 percent in October from the revised September rate of 9.1 percent, state officials said Tuesday.
Mortgage delinquencies hit another record in 3Q
The good news is that the pace at which people fell behind on their mortgages slowed during the summer for the third quarter in a row. The bad news is the overall delinquency rate hit another record.
Report: Companies not reporting all injuries
Some employers are pressuring workers not to report illnesses and injuries, just one problem that has led to widespread underreporting of workplace safety issues, according to congressional investigators.
Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work
They're antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job. They're the 32- to 44-year-olds wedged between baby boomers and their children.
Fed officials warn weak recovery won't spur jobs
Unemployment likely will remain high for the next several years because the economic recovery won't be strong enough to spur robust hiring, Federal Reserve officials warned Tuesday.
Recession's good news: Cities see burglaries fall
"With a lot more unemployed people, a lot more people are staying home, and they see more in their neighborhood," said Sgt. Thomas Lasater.
Jobless rate tops 10 percent for first time since '83
Nearly 16 million people can't find jobs even though the worst recession since the Great Depression has apparently ended. Many economists worry that persistently high unemployment could undermine the recovery by restraining consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy.
Stimulus jobs overstated by thousands
The government has overstated by thousands the number of jobs it has created or saved with federal contracts under the president's $787 billion recovery program, according to an Associated Press review of data released in the program's first progress report.
Costco to accept food stamps nationwide
It's a big about-face for a retailer that has catered to the bargain-hunting affluent - and a sign of the grim reality facing retailers and their customers. Food-stamp users recently hit a record 36 million.
Credit card interest hikes: 'I'm a little disgusted'
Being a responsible credit card holder isn't enough to keep your interest fee from jumping.