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Stuck in Neutral: Nebraska used to be a leader in creating jobs and spurring growth. Not anymore.

  • By HENRY J. CORDES/Flatwater Free Press - Flatwater Free Press

Nebraska's economic growth has stalled, missing Site Selection magazine's top 10 development states for the second year. Business leaders see this as a pressing issue. A Flatwater Free Press analysis shows Nebraska's job growth lags behind neighboring states, costing 70,000 jobs. Challenges include a worker shortage, lack of affordable housing, and a "brain drain" of young graduates. State leaders have been criticized for not prioritizing growth. Recent efforts include new tax incentives and initiatives to boost housing and child care. However, experts say reversing the trend will require a long-term, statewide effort.

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
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AP Wire

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February

  • By PAUL WISEMAN and ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Business Writers
  • Updated

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast. The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. But uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran — and its impact on energy prices — is clouding the outlook for the labor market.

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AP

Experienced workers, not just rookies, get cut as Trump slashes probationary employees

  • By MARK THIESSEN and CHRIS MEGERIAN - Associated Press
  • Updated

President Donald Trump has been cutting probationary employees as part of his effort to downsize the federal workforce. While many people have probationary status because they have less than a year or two on the job, others are on probation because they had recently been promoted or transferred into a new position. Some served in the military, only to become vulnerable when shifting to a civilian job. Thousands of people have lost their jobs, although the final number isn't clear. One fired worker says "they have no idea how many lives they are destroying,"

Firings, freezes and layoffs: A look at Trump's moves against federal employees and programs
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AP Top Story Wire

Firings, freezes and layoffs: A look at Trump's moves against federal employees and programs

  • By MEG KINNARD - Associated Press
  • Updated

President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping changes in the first days of his second administration. Changeover among federal government agencies is normal when a new administration comes to Washington. Trump's actions range from firing career agency employees to freezing trillions in federal grant funds and halting diversity, equity and inclusion programs that could result in wide-ranging layoffs. At least 240 employees are known to have been fired, reassigned, or designated to be laid off. Thousands of employees could be affected by other moves or the grant funds pause, as well as a buyout offer extended to federal employees who opt by next week to leave their jobs.