WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Strong exports and consumer spending supported by government stimulus checks pushed the U.S. economy ahead at a solid 3.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, much stronger than first thought, but growth is expected to ...

GDP report: Economy stronger than expected in Q2 - USA Today

WASHINGTON (AP) — Economic growth rebounded at better-than-expected 3.3% annual rate in the April-June quarter, the government said Thursday. The Commerce Department says the economy shifted to a higher gear, growing at its fastest pace in nearly a ...

Silicon Valley's weak recovery squeezes middle class - Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley's recovery from the technology bust early this decade generated relatively few jobs, and the ''middle-class squeeze'' is intensifying as household incomes flatten and the cost of living rises, a report released Monday shows. The study ...

Rural America feels extra pain as gas prices rise - Yahoo News

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Traci and Brian Bruckner between them commute 800 miles a week to and from their respective jobs -- his 30 miles away from their home in one direction, hers 50 miles away in another. With gas prices up 25 percent up since they ...

Miss. Factory had tension between union, immigrants - USA Today

LAUREL, Miss. (AP) — Union bosses in this region of rural Mississippi have long grumbled that the largest factories here hire illegal immigrants, and that the immigrants were starting to get more overtime and supervisory positions. Friction between ...