Ken Stanford

A burst of hiring in February added 236,000 U.S. jobs and reduced the unemployment rate to 7.7 percent from 7.9 percent in January. The strong job growth showed that employers are confident about the economy despite higher taxes and government spending cuts.

The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW and The City of Gainesville, will host the 2013 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Georgia High School Fishing State Championship on Sunday, May 5. The event will be held on Lake Lanier, launching out of Laurel Park.

Federal authorities have notified several Georgia airports that funds will no longer be available for air traffic control towers.

President Barack Obama is playing down expectations for a Mideast peace breakthrough during his upcoming trip to Israel, telling American Jewish leaders that he won't be carrying a "grand peace plan" when he arrives in the region later this month.

After coming in $400 million over budget following last year's busy fire season, the Forest Service is altering its approach and may let more fires burn instead of attacking every one.

Federal workers could face seven days of furloughs at the Housing and Urban Development Department, but Homeland Security personnel might see twice that number. At the Environmental Protection Agency, workers would get four-day holiday weekends with a catch - one day would be a furlough day.

Flight attendants, pilots, federal air marshals and even insurance companies are part of a growing backlash to the Transportation Security Administration's new policy allowing passengers to carry small knives and sports equipment like souvenir baseball bats and golf clubs onto planes.

Surging stock prices and steady home-price increases have finally allowed Americans to regain the $16 trillion in wealth they lost to the Great Recession. The gains are helping support the economy and could lead to further spending and growth.

A public send-off is planned today for the Gainesville High School boys basketall team as it heads to Macon for the State AAAAA Championship Game.

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) is still taking reservations for its Annual Transportation Forum which will be held next week.