Construction of new homes and apartments fell to the lowest level in 17 years last month, showing the country is still gripped by a severe housing downturn that has triggered billions of dollars of losses and is reshaping the structure of U.S. finance. ...more

September 18, 2008

Nearly one-third of the country's top executives expect to cut payrolls in the coming months as companies cope with a weakened economy dogged by housing, credit and financial problems. ...more

September 12, 2008

A private sector measure of the economy's health showed the largest drop in a year, and even though new jobless claims fell for the second straight week, they remain near the highest levels since 2002. The reports are the latest evidence that the languishing American economy remains stuck in low gear. ...more

August 22, 2008

SARASOTA - The Herald-Tribune announced cost-saving measures Tuesday that will result in 33 employees losing their jobs as the media company - like most across the nation - continues to struggle in a flagging economy. ...more

August 5, 2008

Christmas in July? Maybe not a bad idea this year. Retailers are already talking about price increases of up to 15 percent this year on holiday goods, from staples like tree ornaments and toys to luxury gifts like European handbags and clothing. The main cause? It's the same old chestnut, soaring energy prices. ...more

July 31, 2008

The country slogged through slower economic growth and rising prices during the summer, packing a double whammy to people and businesses alike. ...more

July 24, 2008

Not Exactly Re: Jim Gibson's "Feedback" letter to the editor in the July 23 edition of Hernando Today. ...more

July 24, 2008

Worried about rising inflation, Federal Reserve officials at their meeting in June thought the Fed's next move on interest rates was likely to be up. ...more

July 17, 2008

The holiday shopping season is still months away, but a growing number of economists are predicting it could be worse than last year - which is to say, disastrous. ...more

June 26, 2008

The economy, hobbled by higher fuel and food prices, tighter credit and a depressed housing market, is limping along at a snail's pace, a private business group said Thursday. ...more

June 20, 2008