Indiana 'a leader and laggard' on economic measures

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana has successfully created a low-tax, low-regulation business environment, but its future economic growth hinges on Hoosiers who, more often than not, lack the education and healthy habits needed to move the state forward.

Pence sure income tax cut will create jobs

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence is certain reducing Indiana's personal income tax rate will create jobs, despite the doubts of legislative leaders and the increase in unemployment that followed distribution of the state's automatic taxpayer refund.

Coats hopes federal budget cuts prompt serious look at spending

INDIANAPOLIS | U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., believes an $85 billion across-the-board cut in federal spending may be just what the United States needs to finally get serious about its "unsustainable" finances.

Pence inauguration to focus on 'Indiana's moment'

INDIANAPOLIS | A new era in Indiana history begins Monday when Republican Mike Pence is sworn in as the state's 50th governor.

Ellspermann meets with other newly-elected Lt. Governors

INDIANAPOLIS | Lt. Gov.-elect Sue Ellspermann was introduced Monday to other future lieutenant governors at the biannual new member meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Text of the Federal Reserve's statement Thursday

WASHINGTON | Below is the statement the Fed released Thursday after its policy meeting:

Economy grew modest 2.8 pct. in Q4, best in 2011

Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years, helping the U.S. economy reach its fastest growth rate of last year.

US job market ends year in better shape

The long-suffering job market is ending the year better off than it began. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits each week has dropped by 10 percent since January.

Claims lowest since April '08 as job market improves

In the latest sign that the economy is surging at year's end, unemployment claims have dropped to the lowest level since April 2008, long before anyone realized that the nation was in a recession.

C.P. economic development group agrees to hire financial adviser

CROWN POINT | A group whose organizers said will work to promote economic development in the city met Monday for the first time in more than a year.

Economists see modest growth next year

The U.S. economy will muddle through the next year without a recession, but growth-predicted to be 2.4 percent-will be too weak to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate, forecasters believe.

Gridlock on deficit panel looms over stock rally

Like the sequel of a blockbuster horror movie, the debt ceiling may strike again: A gridlocked bipartisan congressional committee must find a way to agree on a deficit reduction plan by Nov. 23rd.

Dismal report shows no net job increase in August

Employers stopped adding jobs in August, an alarming setback for an economy at risk of another recession. The government also reported that the unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent. It was the weakest jobs report since September 2010.

U.S. service sector grew in June, but at slower pace

WASHINGTON | The U.S. service sector, which employs nearly 90 percent of the country's work force, expanded for a 19th consecutive month in June. But growth slowed from May, a sign the economy remains sluggish.

Economy grew slightly faster 1.9 pct. in Q1

The U.S. economy expanded a little faster at the beginning of the year than previously estimated. But the growth rate was still anemic and economists don't see that changing much in the coming months.

Investors nervous as stock market eyes correction

The Standard & Poor's 500 index has dropped 6.8 percent since April 29. Declining just as quickly: the hopes of many investors and economists for robust growth in the second half of the year.

Gary airport begins expansion

Political and civic leaders gathered at the Gary/Chicago International Airport for the official groundbreaking of the facility's $153 million runaway extension project.

Economy adds 244k jobs, as jobless rate ticks up

Companies created 268,000 jobs in April, the most since February 2006. The gains were widespread, as retailers, education, healthcare, and even financial and construction companies added jobs. Paradoxically, the unemployment rate rose.

Hiring likely to boost spending despite gas prices

Consumers as a whole will likely spend more this year-but not because we'll all be earning more money. Even people lucky enough to get a raise will likely spend most of those extra dollars to pay higher gas and food prices.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Focus on education, infrastructure, business policy

The Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council tracks 11 key indicators of community health in order to measure the progress our region is making toward becoming a more desirable place for our residents to live and work. One of those indicators, "A Community of Opportunity," identifies income…