Us-economy

WASHINGTON - Job prospects are looking just a little brighter.

WASHINGTON - A swell in temporary government hiring for the census drove almost all the job market's gains last month - a huge disappointment to Wall Street and a sign that private employers aren't yet confident enough in the recovery to start adding workers with gusto.

WASHINGTON - The spending power of families is being squeezed, government data showed Friday, highlighting doubts about consumers' ability to drive the economic rebound.