Breaking News

Business News

US hiring slows and unemployment ticks higher

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a disappointing 29,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up last month, the government reported Friday, a month before voters go to the polls in pivotal midterm elections at a time of discontent over the high cost of living and the state of the economy. Hiring dropped from a revised 133,000 in August, the Labor Department said. The unemployment rate rose to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1% in August. Economists had expected September payrolls to come in around 90,000. Labor Department revisions also shaved 60,000 jobs off combined July and ...

Leadership Mahoning Valley introduces Class of 2027

Staff report More than 200 guests welcomed the Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2027 at its kick-off breakfast Sept. 24 at The Grand Resort in Howland. Selected from a record number of applicants, the Class of 2027 represents a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from businesses, nonprofits, government, education, healthcare and other sectors throughout the Mahoning Valley. “We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of leaders to Leadership Mahoning Valley,” said JoAnn Stock, president. “The strength of LMV has always been the people who come ...

New Toyota RAV4’s all hybrid

It is worth taking note when an industry leader makes big changes in its lineup. Such is the case with Toyota and its RAV4 this year. All models include hybrid only electrification or plug-in hybrid with fuel economy in the 40s to 50s. Its four-cylinder gasoline engine is propelled by an electronic all-wheel drive with dual electric motors mounted under the hood to drive the front wheels while a third motor powers the rear wheels. Its closest rival, the Honda CR-V has not taken on full hybrid production yet. Last year’s sales overpower all others in the small compact SUV category ...

Business briefs

AI CONFERENCE: A public policy conference, “Big Issues. Bold Ideas. Our Region’s Future,” will take place 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Stambaugh Auditorium. How will the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers affect the Mahoning Valley — and what opportunities and challenges could it create for our economy? Join the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber for a program exploring AI, data center development and the public policy issues shaping Ohio’s economic future. The program will feature Benjamin Harvey, D.Sc., founder of AI Squared and Research ...

A new Trump proposal would require tax filers to disclose citizenship status

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration would require U.S. taxpayers to disclose their citizenship and work authorization status to the IRS as part of a proposed change to the annual tax form that nearly all workers file each year. Administration officials argue the new requirement will help the federal government stop immigrants lacking permanent legal status from collecting federal benefits they are not eligible for, potentially saving taxpayers up to $2 billion. But taxpayer and privacy advocates say the data could be used to help find and deport those people. Most Americans ...

US unemployment claims dip to 197,000, lowest since mid-July

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people applying for U.S. unemployment benefits dipped last week to the lowest level since mid-July as layoffs remain low and most American workers enjoy job security. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial jobless claims ticked down to 197,000 from a revised 198,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, dropped by 2,500 to 200,000. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a sign of where the job market is headed. So far this year, ...