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• Public outcry grows over bonuses to city leaders Play Video

  April 18, 2013 9:48 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - Public outcry is growing over the lavish bonuses awarded to two members of Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach's inner circle. Laura Neumann, the mayor's Chief of Staff, and City Attorney Chris Melcher were both given $25,000 bonuses last year on top of their six figure salaries. ... more »

• Unemployment rate high in Pueblo

  March 8, 2013 8:53 PM

  As of December, national unemployment was at 7.7%. Colorado's is roughly the same at 7.6%. But Pueblo's is much higher at 11.3%. "Clearly the numbers are higher than we would like," said Jack Rink, PEDCO President and CEO. But change is ahead. "We obviously would like to... more »

• Mass layoffs in Colorado declined again in 2012

  January 26, 2013 1:22 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says layoffs of at least 50 workers from a single employer declined again in Colorado last year. BLS economist Linda Nickisch says Colorado employers reported 104 mass layoffs in 2012, compared to 114 in 2011 and 153 in 2010. She adds... more »

• UN predicts millions more jobless around the world despite growth

  January 21, 2013 9:10 PM

  BERLIN (AP) - The U.N. labor agency warns that the lingering effects of the global economic crisis means unemployment will continue to rise - even though world economies are expected to pick up. The International Labor Organization said in a report released Tuesday the net number of unemployed people rose... more »

• Local job market still lags national trend

  January 4, 2013 7:22 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - Even with the national unemployment rate holding steady at 7.8 percent in December, those who are out of work in Southern Colorado face a more challenging job market. In November, the most recent month available, there were 25,765 people unemployed in El Paso County, or roughly... more »

• New resource connection for Pikes Peak vets

  November 13, 2012 4:32 PM

  A new website launches Tuesday helping connect vets with reputable resources in the Pikes Peak region. It's called the Peak Military Care Network, organized through the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments; it connects anyone with services designed to help members of the military, veterans, and their families. ... more »

• Despite unemployment, some trade jobs are hard to fill Play Video

  October 6, 2012 6:26 PM

  When there's a job opening, you'd think hundreds or thousands would be trying to beat out others for that steady pay, but that's not always so, especially when it comes to trade jobs. We found out why some frustrated business owners are saying, "Take this job!" R. Buck... more »

• Weak hiring for 3rd month in a row

  July 6, 2012 8:43 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. employers added only 80,000 jobs in June, a third straight month of weak hiring that shows the economy is struggling. The Labor Department says the unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.2 percent. The economy has added just 75,000 jobs a month in the April-June quarter. That's... more »

• Educated and unemployed: Hiring Our Heroes Play Video

  May 31, 2012 12:49 AM

  She's been unemployed for two years, taking up volunteer work in hopes of finding a job while her husband serves in Afghanistan. She's a face of the Hiring Our Heroes program. "Why won't someone recognize that I'm capable, I'm qualified, I'm able, and I want to! And give me... more »

• Summer jobs may help teen unemployment numbers Play Video

  May 6, 2012 6:24 PM

  U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April, which is 50,000 less than predicted, and the hardest hit are teens. The school bell for summer is about to ring, which means teens are getting ready to punch the time clock. Economists are hopeful seasonal jobs will put a dent in... more »

• Colorado unemployment rate unchanged

  March 30, 2012 1:33 PM

  Colorado's jobless rate stayed the same from January to February. It stands at 7.8 percent. The national unemployment rate for February was 8.3 percent. Employers in Colorado added 4,700 non-farm jobs from January to February. The largest job gains were in education, health services, trade, transportation and utilities.... more »

• Colorado unemployment rate drops

  March 13, 2012 1:27 PM

  The jobless rate in Colorado dropped in January slightly to 7.8 percent. Employers in Colorado added 19,500 nonfarm payroll jobs from December to January for a total of 2,284,800 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 22,500 and government decreased 3,000. The... more »

• NYC investigators: Nonprofit faked job placements

  March 9, 2012 6:54 PM

  NEW YORK (AP) - An investigation has found that a nonprofit organization hired by New York City faked 1,400 job placements for city residents and possibly many more. The city Department of Investigation found that officials at Seedco's local Workforce1 centers worked together to create fake reports for the city.... more »

• Employers could get to check credit before hiring

  February 13, 2012 7:17 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Lawmakers will hear testimony on a bill to prohibit employers from using consumer credit information against potential employees unless they're applying for a job that involves financial decisions. Democrats sponsoring the proposal say the use of credit information creates barriers for people who have recently lost... more »

• Unemployment rate falls after hiring burst

  February 3, 2012 8:55 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The unemployment rate fell for the fifth straight month after a surge of January hiring, a promising shift in the nation's outlook for job growth. The Labor Department says employers added 243,000 jobs in January, the most in nine months. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent... more »

• State unemployment rate lower

  January 24, 2012 2:19 PM

  Colorado's unemployment rate decreased to 7.9 percent in December. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said the number of people actively participating in the labor force increased 12,100 to 2,727,300 and total employment increased 12,300 to 2,511,300 causing the number of unemployed to decline 300. The national... more »

• Unemployment applications jump following holiday layoffs

  January 12, 2012 8:41 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people applying for weekly unemployment benefits spiked last week, largely because companies let go of thousands of workers after the holiday season. The Labor Department says applications jumped by 24,000 to a seasonally adjusted 399,000, the most in six weeks. That followed three... more »

• Despite positive unemployment numbers, job search continues for many Play Video

  January 6, 2012 7:36 PM

  Krystal Wilson has been searching for work for three months. She's a single mom with two kids. She said although she's glad to hear the unemployment rate has dropped she's getting desperate. "You can't always provide the things that are necessary for them. And you just get frustrated", said... more »

• Fewer people seeking unemployment aid

  January 5, 2012 8:56 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell further in the final week of 2011, a positive sign for hiring one day ahead of Friday's December employment report. The Labor Department says weekly applications dropped 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 last week. It was the fourth... more »

• Unemployment aid applications drop

  December 8, 2011 8:46 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in nine months, evidence that the job market is improving. The Labor Department says weekly applications dropped by 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 381,000. That's the lowest number of applications since... more »

• For vets returning to US, green energy jobs await

  November 26, 2011 12:31 PM

  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio energy company is making an effort to hire military veterans to install solar panels at a time when veteran unemployment is outpacing that of civilians. Tipping Point chief technical officer Darin Hadinger says his company's Solar by Soldiers program was in part inspired by... more »

• Application for unemployment aid drops

  November 10, 2011 8:48 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell to the lowest level since April, which suggests employers could be stepping up hiring. The Labor Department says applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a seasonally adjusted 390,000, the third decline in four weeks.... more »

• Unemployment numbers down

  October 21, 2011 8:46 PM

  Here's some good news on the job front. In both Pueblo and El Paso County the most recent unemployment numbers are down. The State Labor Department just released September's numbers. In El Paso County, unemployment dropped to 8.6% from 9.3% in August. In Pueblo County, it's down to 9.4% from... more »

• Unemployment up from last week

  September 8, 2011 8:42 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking unemployment benefits ticked up slightly last week, evidence that the job market isn't improving. The Labor Department says weekly applications for unemployment benefits rose 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 414,000. The report suggests companies aren't significantly increasing layoffs, despite weak... more »

• Many unemployed families are now seeking government assistance

  September 7, 2011 8:26 PM

  Leanne Regan is doing something she never imagined she would do. "Times are hard. They laid me off", said Leanne Regan. "When you're doing well, you think you're always going to do well. You don't imagine that you're going to need help" But like millions across the... more »

• Some wish they were working this Labor Day

  September 6, 2011 12:27 AM

  Labor Day -- in some years -- can be an overlooked holiday, but with the nation's focus on the economy and jobs it has different meaning this year. Many people were happy to get Monday off from work, but there's also a large group out there of people who are... more »

• Labor Sec'y urges joint Dem-GOP effort on jobs

  September 5, 2011 8:19 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says both political parties must come together to attack slow economic growth and high unemployment. Solis says "we do need everyone to be on board" with President Barack Obama as he tries to create a better hiring environment across the country. Solis... more »

• Labor Day pains for the unemployed

  September 5, 2011 7:41 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Friday's dismal jobs report may be even worse than the numbers suggest. The 9.1 percent jobless rate doesn't count part-timers looking for full-time work and the unemployed who've given up looking. The Labor Department says those people make up more than 16 percent of working-age Americans. more »

• Unemployment applications down

  August 4, 2011 8:45 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking unemployment benefits dipped last week, a sign the job market may be improving slowly. The Labor Department says that applications for unemployment benefits edged down 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 400,000. That's the lowest level in four months. The previous week's... more »

• Unemployment could be decreasing

  July 28, 2011 8:50 AM

  The number of people seeking unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level since early April, a sign the job market may be healing after a recent slump. The Labor Department says weekly applications fell 24,000 to a seasonally adjusted 398,000. That's the first time applications have... more »

• Colorado part of Democrats Spanish-language ads, pro-Obama

  July 23, 2011 6:58 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Democrats are launching Spanish-language television ads targeting Hispanic voters in three Western states. The ad, entitled "Who to Trust", touts President Barack Obama's work on extending health insurance to children, including legal immigrant children, increasing the number of Pell Grants and cutting middle class taxes. ... more »

• Unemployment benefits increase

  July 21, 2011 8:45 AM

  More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, evidence that layoffs are rising and the job market is weak. The Labor Department says applications for unemployment benefits rose by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 418,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, dipped to 421,250. Applications have topped... more »

• Unemployment Benefits

  June 23, 2011 5:22 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Legislative economists say a Colorado fund that pays out unemployment benefits should be solvent again in the coming fiscal year. Heavy job losses during the recession pushed the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund into insolvency, and the state started borrowing federal money in 2010 to keep paying... more »

• Balance in Colorado unemployment fund improves

  June 22, 2011 12:51 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Legislative economists say a Colorado fund that pays out unemployment benefits should be solvent again in the coming fiscal year. Heavy job losses during the recession pushed the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund into insolvency, and the state started borrowing federal money in 2010 to keep paying... more »

• State unemployment rate falls

  June 17, 2011 11:10 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's unemployment rate continues to fall as employers in Colorado added 4,200 nonfarm payroll jobs from April to May. The largest over the month private sector job gains in May were in construction and trade, transportation and utilities. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment... more »

• Stocks gain after drop in jobless claims

  May 19, 2011 11:59 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are opening higher, extending Wednesday's gains, after a government report showed a sharp drop in new claims for unemployment benefits for a second straight week. It's a sign that the job market is slowly recovering. The Department of Labor is reporting that applications for... more »

• El Paso County unemployment takes big drop

  April 19, 2011 5:07 PM

  Unemployment fell sharply in El Paso County in March. The latest numbers from the Colorado Department of Labor put the Colorado Springs area jobless rate at 9.7 percent in March, compared with 10.2 percent in February. Those numbers are from Teller and El Paso Counties. Pueblo's unemployment numbers fell... more »

• Colorado unemployment rate drops slightly

  April 19, 2011 1:32 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado labor officials say the state unemployment rate dipped to 9.2 percent in March, as employers added about 500 nonfarm payroll jobs over the month. The unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in February. The state labor department also said Tuesday that Coloradans are earning slightly more... more »

• Benefits upheld for dismissed Mesa County jailer

  April 17, 2011 3:50 PM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld unemployment benefits for a Mesa County jailer dismissed for alleged incompetence. In its ruling last week involving a former booking technician, the court rejected county arguments that the former employee was "at fault" for separation from the county.... more »

• Colorado ranks among top 10 states to make a living

  April 17, 2011 8:13 AM

  Colorado is among the 10 best states in the country to make a living according to a new ranking compiled by the website money-rates.com . The survey compared unemployment rates with average wages, tax rates and the cost of living index in each state. According to the report,... more »

• El Paso County, Pueblo County jobless rates fall slightly

  March 25, 2011 1:48 PM

  DENVER (AP) - State officials say Colorado's unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent in February, even though the state added 3,000 non-farm jobs. The Department of Labor and Employment said Friday that the increase in jobs wasn't enough to offset an increase in the number of people looking for... more »

• Local jobless rate jumps

  March 10, 2011 2:10 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado unemployment rate hit 9.1 percent in January, topping the U.S. rate of 9 percent. That's up from 8.9 percent in Colorado a year earlier. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday that almost 2.43 million Coloradans have jobs, down about 1 percent... more »

• Positive job numbers, negative outlook

  January 10, 2011 8:04 PM

  December numbers from the Labor Department show improvement in the job market, but for those on the front lines -- trying to find work -- things aren't looking so positive. "People come and go all day long," says Byron Gunn, who's unemployed and spending his days at the Pikes... more »

• Jobless rate falls

  January 7, 2011 12:22 PM

  LANDOVER, Md. (AP) - President Barack Obama says a new jobs report shows a trend in the right direction even though the numbers are fluctuating and hiring and growth must still accelerate. The December jobs report out Friday morning showed the natio.n's unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent, the... more »

• Unemployment benefit applications drop sharply

  December 30, 2010 10:38 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, a positive sign that the job market is slowly improving. The Labor Department says applications dropped by 34,000 to 388,000, the lowest number since the week of July 12, 2008. The level of applications... more »

• Colorado unemployment rate edges up slightly

  December 17, 2010 5:39 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado has notched its first three months of consecutive job growth since 2007. But more hiring has attracted even more jobseekers to the market, nudging Colorado's unemployment rate up slightly in November. The state Labor and Employment Office said Friday Colorado's unemployment rate has risen to 8.6... more »

• Colorado's unemployment rate up in October

  November 23, 2010 3:18 PM

  Colorado's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased two-tenths of one percent to 8.4 percent in October. "Despite mixed results in the employment numbers, there are encouraging signs of improvement including recent increases in online job postings," said Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.... more »

• Merry shopping season ahead for local retailers

  November 14, 2010 7:47 PM

  "Got to start early" explains Thea Etchells. Your definition of early may be different than others when it comes to holiday shopping. "I think everybody is starting to shop earlier," explains Thea, who's just finishing up a shopping trip to Best Buy with her dad, Dale. The... more »

• State jobless rate up slightly

  October 22, 2010 1:27 PM

  Colorado's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of one percentage point to 8.2 percent in September from the revised August rate of 8.1 percent, according to Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. "Colorado's economy remains relatively flat," Mares said. "We have not seen... more »

• Economy loses 95K jobs in September

  October 8, 2010 9:13 AM

  It's official--the jobless rate has now topped 9.5 percent for 14 straight months, the longest stretch since the 1930s. A wave of government layoffs last month outpaced weak hiring in the private sector, pushing down the nation's payrolls by a net total of 95,000 jobs. The Labor Department... more »

• Economy likely creating some jobs, but not enough

  October 8, 2010 8:16 AM

  The final monthly jobs report before the midterm congressional elections is due out Friday and it's not expected to be very optimistic. The report is likely to leave President Barack Obama in a precarious position: Democratic members of Congress will face voters with unemployment likely above 9.5 percent. ... more »

• Poverty, demand for services climb higher

  September 23, 2010 5:37 PM

  A charity group in Pueblo says more people are struggling to put food on the table. This may not come as a surprise. Last week, the U.S. Census says the number of Americans living in poverty has jumped to its highest level in more than half a century. Marlene Saiz... more »

• Colorado jobless rate rises, but falls in El Paso, Pueblo

  September 21, 2010 11:52 AM

  The unemployment rate for Colorado has risen to 8.2 percent, up from 7.9 percent. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment released the August statistics on Tuesday. Colorado's rate had held steady for months. Labor and department director Donald Mares says the August jump shows the job market... more »

• Economic panel says recession ended in June 2009

  September 20, 2010 12:22 PM

  It's official: The longest recession the country has endured since World War II ended in June 2009, according to a group that dates the beginning and end of recessions. The National Bureau of Economic Research, a panel of academic economists based in Cambridge, Mass., says the recession lasted 18... more »

• New filings for jobless benefits tumble

  September 9, 2010 10:42 AM

  The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum. The Labor Department says new claims for unemployment aid dropped last week by a seasonally... more »

• New jobless claims drop for first time in 4 weeks

  August 26, 2010 9:00 AM

  New requests for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week after rising in the past three weeks. Still, claims remain much higher than they would be in a healthy economy. The Labor Department says new claims for jobless aid dropped by 31,000 to a seasonally adjusted 473,000. Wall Street... more »

• El Paso County unemployment rate drops slightly

  August 20, 2010 2:32 PM

  Colorado's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained the same in July at 8 percent. "Four months of stability in the unemployment rate combined with two months of notable private-sector job growth is encouraging news," said Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. "Our challenge... more »

• Worst unemployment report of the year released

  August 19, 2010 9:29 AM

  New applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November, a sign that employers are likely cutting jobs again as the economy slows. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims for jobless benefits rose by 12,000 last week to 500,000, the... more »

• New unemployment claims on the rise

  August 5, 2010 8:27 AM

  Initial requests for jobless benefits rose last week to their highest level since April, a sign that hiring remains weak and some companies are still cutting workers. The Labor Department says new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 19,000 to a seasonally adjusted 479,000. Analysts had expected a small... more »

• Meg Whitman: No interest in White House run

  July 27, 2010 8:59 AM

  Republican California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman says she has no interest in a future run for the United States presidency. She says she is focused on helping recession wracked California climb out of its 12.3 percent unemployment rate. Whitman says she would target tax cuts for employers and reduce... more »

• New jobless claims jump from two-year low

  July 22, 2010 9:18 AM

  New jobless claims jumped last week by the most since February, reversing a sharp fall two weeks ago. The rise is partly a result of seasonal factors but also reflects the job market's weakness. The Labor Department says new claims for unemployment insurance jumped by 37,000 to a seasonally... more »

• Mixed review

  July 2, 2010 11:39 PM

  Recently released national labor statistics show the unemployment rate dropped in June from 9.7% to 9.5%, but the number of jobs dropped as well. At the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, employees can only judge by what they've seen, and that's been fewer faces coming in for help. "That... more »

• Payrolls drop by 125K, jobless rate falls

  July 2, 2010 8:55 AM

  A wave of census layoffs cut the nation's payrolls in June for the first time in six months, while private employers added a modest number of jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 9.5 percent, its lowest level in almost a year. The Labor Department says employers cut 125,000 jobs last... more »

• Colorado jobless rate hovers around 8 percent

  June 18, 2010 1:52 PM

  The Colorado unemployment rate held steady at 8 percent in May. That's slightly lower than 8.2 percent a year ago. The rate is adjusted for seasonal differences. Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Executive Director Donald Mares said Friday that the labor market is still weak, although hiring by... more »

• Amid deficit worries,Congress trims unemployment bill

  June 16, 2010 8:24 AM

  Faced with a losing showdown vote Wednesday, Senate Democrats trying to extend unemployment benefits and help for doctors facing Medicare payment cuts are scaling back a catchall tax and spending bill. Anxiety over record budget deficits is fueling the moves, which include rolling back last year's $25 a week... more »

• Economy sending mixed signals

  June 3, 2010 10:06 AM

  How's the economy doing? It depends on which report you're reviewing--and a whole slew of new information was released Thursday morning. Retail sales: Retailers are reporting tepid business in May after cool weather and fresh concerns about the economy had shoppers cutting spending on clothing and other nonessentials. The... more »

• Surge in new jobless claims

  May 20, 2010 10:25 AM

  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. Applications for unemployment benefits rose to 471,000 last week, up by 25,000... more »