2010 | featured news

In a sign that the state's struggling labor market may be strengthening, 14,200 positions were added by employers in April, the second straight month of expansion.

A dubious distinction was reached during the first three months of 2010: More than 10% of all borrowers are now behind on their mortgage payments.

Retail sales and industrial production in April both enjoyed continued growth, reinforcing the sustainability of the economic recovery in the United States. On Friday the U.S. Commerce Department reported retail sales gained 0.4% in April, ahead of Wall Street’s expected 0.2% rise, but below the 2.1% jump in March. Peter Newland, economist at Barclays Capital, notes that the total was driven by a 0.5% increase in both autos and gasoline, and a 6.9% jump in building material sales. All of that is nice, but core sales, which exclude these elements, actually fell 0.2%, which is much weaker than excepted.

Apple said the iPad will become available in nine European countries May 28, after an earlier delay.

While improving, the job market still has a long way to go before it can be counted on to provide a base for a sustained economic recovery.

Early reports from retailers show that Americans took a a breather from their March shopping spree in April, partly because Easter came earlier. But the spring selling season is ending up respectable, an encouraging sign for the economy....

Star wattage will burn bright at the 2010 Tony Awards with Denzel Washington, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Kelsey Grammer among those receiving nominations Tuesday....

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has jumped in with both feet into Kentucky's US Senate race, endorsing Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the May 18 primary.

General Motors said its domestic sales in April rose 20% for the four brands the company is keeping thanks to continued strength in crossover vehicles and cars.

U.S. auto sales continued to rise in April as the stabilizing economy and attractive discounts brought more consumers into showrooms.