Washington The World Bank released its Global Economic Prospects report on January 13 stating global GDP growth will slow to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025 before rising to 2.7% in 2027. The bank said about two thirds of the upward revision reflects stronger US growth and noted an...
WASHINGTON. The U.S. Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 208,000 for the week ended January 3, while the four-week moving average fell to 211,750. Continuing claims increased to 1.914 million for the week ended December 27. Third-quarter worker productivity grew at its fastest...
United States federal- and state-level employment releases show mixed November 2025 labor-market results. State reports indicated unemployment rates rose in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon and Ohio while Massachusetts held at 4.7%; payrolls varied by state with pockets of gains in leisure, hospitality, professional services and losses in construction and government....
United States — U-Haul's 2025 Growth Index shows ongoing population shifts toward Sunbelt states, with Texas ranked first, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina. The report, based on more than 2.5 million one-way transactions, lists California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts among states with the...
United States: State and local governments implemented minimum wage increases and related tax measures taking effect Jan. 1, 2026. Arizona raised its statewide minimum to $15.15 and Tucson to $15.45 under Proposition 206; Washington’s rate rose to $17.13 statewide and Seattle to $21.30; New Jersey increased to $15.92 for most...
United States. State governments and labor agencies announced nationwide minimum wage increases effective Jan. 1, 2026. Ohio will raise non-tipped pay to $11.00 and tipped to $5.50, with the applicability threshold rising to $405,000. Connecticut will adjust to $16.94 using the Employment Cost Index. Missouri will set $15.00 after Proposition...
United States — Gas prices fell across multiple states this week, recently, driven by higher refinery outputs and growing gasoline inventories, according to GasBuddy data and local news reports. National average gasoline dropped four cents over the past week to $2.75 per gallon, while diesel declined 5.4 cents to $3.521...
United States — State and local governments will raise minimum wages on Jan. 1, 2026, affecting millions. Governments and city councils enacted ordinances, voter initiatives and legislative changes that tie wage floors to inflation or reset statutory rates. Denver will set a $19.29 city minimum, Colorado will adjust statewide rates,...
WASHINGTON The Labor Department reported Tuesday that weekly U.S. unemployment claims fell by 10,000 to 214,000 for the week ending Dec. 20, below the 232,000 analysts had forecast. The release moved earlier because of the Christmas holiday. The data reflect ongoing shifts in industry hiring patterns. The report said applications...
United States — U.S. agricultural exports to China fell sharply in 2025 as USDA trade data show nationally significant state-level declines, analysts reported this week. Farm Flavor and multiple local news outlets compiled figures showing Louisiana recorded the largest drop ($1.85 billion), Washington $1.36 billion, California $808.4 million, and other...
