national economy

With college graduations just around the corner, we have some bad news for this year's crop of eager fresh-faced young grads.  We don't want to rain on your parade, but you should know that the prospects of getting a meaningful job in your chosen career field are worse than they've been in years. So you need to be prepared with a Plan B.

Banks are foreclosing on America's churches in record numbers -- as lenders lose patience with religious groups who defaulted on their mortgages.  The surge in church foreclosures shows many banks are no longer willing to show forbearance with struggling churches.

The USPS is launching a feasibility study of ways to cut costs and save money in the national postal system.  Closing or reducing services at mail processing facilities is one proposal on the table, and the Lufkin Mail Processing Center is one that could be closed or affected.

Starbucks is hoping its customers will be willing to pay at least $5 more when they stop in for their morning cup of Joe.  Starting November 1, Starbucks will begin asking customers for donations of $5 or more to stimulate job growth through its “Jobs for USA” program.

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits surged last week to the highest level in eight months, a troubling sign one day ahead of the government's report on April employment.