John Ydstie

Employers added 209,000 jobs to payrolls in July and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3 percent. That's according to the government's latest jobs report released this morning.

Economists say the pickup in wages has been sluggish. One possible reason is that high-earning baby boomers are leaving the workforce. And some people aren't looking to work because wages are too low.

The U.S. economy gained momentum in the second quarter as consumers and businesses picked up their spending. Gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.6 percent.

The economy staged a comeback from a tepid first quarter, but still fell short of the turbo-charged 3 percent growth rate promised by the Trump administration.

The government report on U.S. economic growth due Friday morning is expected to show a bounce-back in growth during April, May and June, after a sluggish start to the year.

Friday's GDP report is expected to show a rebound from a weak first quarter. But the U.S. economy still isn't likely to sustain the 3 percent growth rate the Trump administration is promising.

As expected, the Federal Reserve says it will hold interest rates in a range between 1 percent and 1.25 percent, while noting job gains have been solid and the labor market continues to strengthen.

A key part of Trump's tax plan is to repatriate corporate profits held overseas back to the U.S. The idea is that companies will free up overseas earnings and invest in jobs and equipment in the U.S.

One hurdle for President Trump's proposed tax cuts is the threat that they'll produce large budget deficits and balloon the U.S. debt. Prominent Republicans are already expressing great concern.

Central bank policymakers provided little guidance on the timing of a rate hike. They said slow growth in the first quarter it is likely transitory and that inflation is close to a goal of 2 percent.

There's an argument to be made that presidents shouldn't take credit for a role in job creation until well into their first term. Trump touts 600,000 jobs created — about double the official count.

President Trump plans to unveil more detail about his plan to change the tax code Wednesday. The administration reportedly plans to pursue tax cuts without offsetting the expected loss in revenue.

Nearly 100 days into Trump's presidency, there are still big questions about what his proposed tax overhaul will include — and whether the large changes he had envisioned are even possible.

President Trump is beating a path back toward the center on economic policy. Some economists think it may be due to influence from Trump advisers like Gary Cohn and Jared Kushner.

Jeffrey Lacker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, has resigned effective immediately over his role in the improper disclosure of confidential information to a financial analyst.

During the election campaign President Trump threatened to pull out of NAFTA, which he called the worst trade deal in U.S. history. But he may take a more temperate approach.

The Federal Reserve announced it has raised interest rates by 0.25 percent, and bank policymakers project at least two more rate increases this year. Chair Janet Yellen spoke with journalists about the Fed's reasoning.

It's widely expected that the Federal Reserve will decide to raise interest rates another quarter point. It would be only the third rate hike since the financial crisis began in 2008.

Refugees were seen as the answer to Germany's declining population and worker shortage. But the mood has darkened, and those refugees who reach Germany face long waits as they struggle to assimilate.

Sweeping tax cuts, for businesses and individuals, will be at or near the top of the list for both the White House and the Republican-controlled Congress. A tax on imports may also be on the table.