Inflation, young/old workers, and more in the national news

As consumers, we're all affected by changes in the price of goods (i.e. inflation or deflation). Because such changes are not an employment-focused measure of the economy, we don't often mention it on the blog. Once a month, however, our division shares via email the latest inflation/deflation data as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If you'd like to receive this info via email, please contact Kathi Riddell (Kathi.R.Riddell@state.or.us | 503-947-1266). The national press release with the March data comes from the BLS (www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf).

And now for a pair of articles that look at either end of the age spectrum when it comes to American workers...

Younger workers: Although the economy is still slowly recovering and unemployment is high, this year's college graduates face better prospects that folks who graduated last year or the year before that...or the year before that! The market for new graduates is the best it has been in four years, as employers plan to hire more new grads this year. If you want all the details, check out the article from CNN Money.

Older workers are also feeling anxious, but for just the opposite reason. They are worried about retirement -- specifically about having enough money to ensure financial security during retirement. Get more info from the original Forbes article.

Finally, a little something for our geekiest readers: An article about the "natural" unemployment rate. According to an analysis in the NY Times, the high unemployment rates we're currently experiencing in the U.S. are not going to persist. High unemployment "is not the new normal".