Rare good news for eurozone economy

LONDON | Mention it quietly, but there were rare hopeful signs for Europe's struggling economy on Friday.

LABOR: NWI missing out on state job gains

Although local union leader Jim Robinson said the economy "seems" to be getting better, there isn't a large share of job growth occurring in Northwest Indiana, especially within the manufacturing sector.

LARRY DeBOER: Looking over the fiscal cliff

Economics is not an experimental science. We can't say to Congress, "Honorable ladies and gentlemen, please drastically raise taxes and cut spending all at once so we can measure the effects on the economy of changes in the federal government's budget." This is not what elected officials do.

LABOR: Workers to benefit from economic growth

Jim Robinson said the employment growth in the nation – albeit slow – is a good sign for all workers.

Former salesman now pitching value of education

Keith Taylor, 56, knew it was time for a career change when his position as an office supply salesman fell into jeopardy.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

Prices are rising, yet there's still a recession

A simple reminder, despite what you've heard from politicians and/or the media, gas prices are still way too high. There's still a recession.

LABOR: Falling jobless rate could be signal for raising wage standards

The state's falling unemployment hasn't shifted the labor movement's attention away from the issues working class people face, said area union leader Jim Robinson.

Say goodbye to summer fun if gas prices stay high

President Barack Obama took some credit for slowing the recession we were in but not out of yet.

LABOR: Layoffs not as easy with workplace efficiencies

Local union leader Jim Robinson said globalization has eaten away at American manufacturing employment so that only the most productive facilities remain in existence.

Wake up, America, before it's too late

We need to drill more American oil. Well, guess what we are now a major exporter of gas and diesel fuel. Have prices dropped? Of course not.

Mid-year reports show glimmer of economic hope for Illinois

SPRINGFIELD | Despite a significant drop in federal aid to Illinois, state revenues are up by more than $1.1 billion through the first half of the fiscal year.

Eurozone faces tough hurdles early in 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany | After a turbulent 2011, the 17 countries that use the euro will be quickly confronted in the new year with major hurdles to solving their government debt crisis, just as the eurozone economy is expected to sink back into recession.

EDITORIAL: Chart a course for economic success

Economics is called the dismal science, and the many economic analyses and forecasts for Northwest Indiana in recent weeks show why.

LABOR: Increases in hiring not enough to counter rising unemployment

Local union official Jim Robinson said he's a bit more optimistic about the economy now than he was a year ago, but the labor picture still has cracks that have to be resolved.

Economy gaining, but so is unemployment

The economy is showing signs of modest improvement - not enough to reduce high unemployment but enough to ease fears another recession might be near.

A summer many investors would rather forget

NEW YORK | It was a stomach-churning summer most investors would like to forget.

Economy gaining but not enough to cut unemployment

WASHINGTON | The economy is showing signs of modest improvement — not enough to reduce high unemployment but enough to ease fears another recession might be near.

Trade deficit narrowed in July

WASHINGTON | A record level of exports and a drop in oil prices narrowed the U.S. trade deficit in July to its lowest point in three months. The jump in exports could give the economy a lift at time when it is at risk of another recession.

Union wages rival college incomes, beckon young workers

HOBART | Che Taylor tried business management studies at Ivy Tech Community College, but after a semester and a half, the Gary native knew his real calling was to follow his dad -- a retired U.S. Steel steelworker -- into the mills.