Economy

If getting caught in traffic frustrates you, take heart in this story.  A study published in USA Today says you can take it as a sign the economy is doing okay. The study says, congested roads indicate places where the economy is rebounding-when jobs come back, so does the gridlock. It also suggests cities and states should do road construction before congestion returns, and Congress is missing the boat by delaying passage of a federal transportation funding bill.

For the past several months - it's been difficult to turn on the news without hearing more bad news about foreclosures, layoffs and falling stocks. The economic downturn has many people changing the way they spend their money, and changing the way they live their lives. Tell us about how you're saving money and what tou're doing to cope or feel better during this economic crisis for TalkBack 12. Submit your comments below. Some of your comments may even wind up on Eyewitness News.

(WICHITA, Kan.) She's about as organized as a bride can get. Allison Lynn is only a month away from her big day, and throughout her 15 month engagement, she's certainly learned the importance of a budget. "It's huge, it's probably one of the biggest things, if not the biggest thing. It's really about priorities. You have to set what's the most important, budget around that, and then go from there," explains Lynn.  An idea that became even more vital once her mom was laid off due to the weak economy.

BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) - Taking his economic pitch on the road, President-elect Barack Obama promoted his plans to create long-lasting, well-paying jobs in cutting-edge industries like alternative energy as part of his mammoth plan to pull the country out of recession. "It's not too late to change course - but only if we take dramatic action as soon as possible," the president-elect said. He pledged: "The first job of my administration is to put people back to work and get our economy moving again.

Holiday shopping days are limited and at Wichita’s Towne East mall you can tell. "This is crazy. There are so many people here," said shopper Amanda Arensdorf. " The mall is packed with shoppers getting the most out of last minute holiday sales. "Traffic was bad. It took forever to park, I'm at the very last stall," said shopper Heather Nelson. Even Santa says his voice is hoarse from seeing so many kids. "I think it's busier than the last couple of years.

The economy may have slowed sales on things like TV's last year, but electronic stores says they've been swamped for weeks already. "We're already almost beating last year as of 3:00 today or so," said Mike Hays, Manager at Ultimate Electronics. Black Friday brought thousands of shoppers out to Wichita stores looking for deals on flat screen TV's. Jack Gregg and his wife were among them. "What you see out there now is way different than what you saw last year, and the prices are way different too. " He pointed to a 32" TV that he says he priced at around $400 last year.

Another jump in gas prices but the increase may actually help the local economy. One Wichita gas station is now at $3.58 a gallon. AAA reports the increase is because of rising crude oil, unrest overseas, and summer travel. While the price at the pump is hard for most people, a local professor says the rise in cost can be a good thing for Kansas. "I think it's going to drive some good behavior. I think you're going to see more cars fueled by natural gas. You're going to see an increase in demand for Ethanol and in Wichita that's a good story...So for the local economy it's got lots of pluses," said Malcolm Harris a finance professor for Friends University.

(WICHITA, Kan.) Back in January, it was pretty easy to spot the kind of effect the economy was having on Dustin Garton's shipping business. Signs on the walls spelled out his new reduced hours.  Today, it's not quite as obvious. "We increased some things to our business to make it worth while for us, otherwise we're still seeing people sending out small stuff it's just we're starting to see a higher volume of the small stuff. " Garton says business has improved slightly.

(WICHITA, Kan.) In tough economic times there are numbers, like the Dow, we don't like to see drop. And then there are numbers, like gas prices, we like to see go lower and lower. "Well I guess it's a silver lining with everything else that's going on in the economy right now," said one man as he gassed up his car.  Gas prices in Wichita are at their lowest since late last year. One of the more positive side effects to slow economy. "I do live out in the country and I'm in high school and my friends like to go out and drive around so that will be a lot nicer.

(WICHITA, Kan.) The city of Wichita says the economy actually helped seal its latest deal to host an international convention. How can that be after all the bad economic news you've heard? "I think everyone enjoys having a creative outlet," Teri Mott, with the Society of Decorative Painters, said of the non-profit's mission. Roughly 20,000 people across the globe pay membership dues to the non-profit, that's based in downtown Wichita. About SDP Mott says, "It's a therapeutic art form.

The economy is expected to improve slightly next year, that's according to the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State. It released its annual economic forecast Thursday.  The report says the state should expect an overall increase of 1.8% next year.  That translates to about 24,175 new jobs  The largest growth areas are expected to be in the production and service sectors. Here's a breakdown: The industry segments that are expected to contract in 2013 include: Government, down 0.6 percent, for a loss of 1,555 jobs Information, down 0.9 percent, for a loss of 230 jobs The largest expanding sectors of the Kansas' economy in 2013 are forecasted to be:  Professional and business services, up 5.7 percent, for a gain of 8,980 jobs Education and health services, up 2.8 percent, for a net gain of 5,330 jobs Leisure and hospitality, up 2.7 percent, for a net gain of 3,195 jobs Click here to read the whole report

"All you hear on the news now is how many people are out of work.  This is an opportunity. We're hiring," says Mike Dickson with the Kansas Star Casino.  But even employers who are hiring are having trouble finding enough workers here in Central Kansas. It's a trend that human resource departments and employment agencies across the state are noticing. The problem? A mismatch of skills. "We do have a lot of positions open right now," said Kimberly Cronister of the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas.

Bloomberg News reported earlier this week that likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney told Florida Governor Rick Scott to downplay job growth in the state. The report cited two unnamed sources who say the campaign asked the Republican governor to tone down his comments because they clash with Romney's message that the country is hurting under President Obama. Click Here to Read the Bloomberg Story On Friday, both the Romney campaign and Gov. Scott's office denied the accusations.

“I felt like it was a betrayal of trust,” said State Senator Dick Kelsey (R). "Kansans and Kansas leadership put a phenomenal effort forward to get that Boeing contract for the tanker. I don't think it would have happened without our help and I feel like we deserve some of the work.” Kansas legislators gathered at a legislative forum at Wichita State University Thursday to receive an update on the budget and hear concerns facing the state. The elected officials are headed to Topeka Monday to begin the 2012 legislative session.

The Wichita Workforce Center is where you'll find Antonio Pinchback on a lot of days, looking for work and trying to stay positive. "You go on interviews and you really don't have the gas money or a babysitter," Pinchback says.  "That takes a toll on you, but you still have to be upbeat because in the end, you are looking for employment. " Trained in the culinary arts, Pinchback uprooted his family six months ago expecting Kansas to be the land of opportunity.  But now he heads into the holiday season just trying to put food on the table.

For the past several years the bad economy forced them to reduce their goals, but the United Way of the Plains says this year it saw a surprising turnaround. The organization says it beat this year's fundraising goal by $100,000, taking in a total of $15.2 million. It comes after a downward trend that has meant fewer dollars for area non-profits. "i'm just so excited, so happy for what the community has stepped up and done for everybody in need," says Linda Brantner, chairperson for the 2011 United Way campaign.

If getting caught in traffic frustrates you, take heart in this story.  A study published in USA Today says you can take it as a sign the economy is doing okay. The study says, congested roads indicate places where the economy is rebounding-when jobs come back, so does the gridlock. It also suggests cities and states should do road construction before congestion returns, and Congress is missing the boat by delaying passage of a federal transportation funding bill.

Disclaimer: This news release is a statement provided by the elected official's office.   Congressman Huelskamp: My Constituents and Our Economy Deserve a Long-Term Solution August 1, 2011 (WASHINGTON) - Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp issued the following statement after voting against the Budget Control Act: “My fellow freshmen and I were sent to Washington to end tricks and gimmicks that put America in this position,” Congressman Tim Huelskamp said.

Slowly but surely, the economy is turning around.  But with the state's unemployment rate hovering just below 7%, there are a lot of people vying for the few jobs available. So how do you make yourself stand out -- and get hired? Eyewitness News Reporter Rebecca Gannon has a two part series that any job-seeker should see.

Another jump in gas prices but the increase may actually help the local economy. One Wichita gas station is now at $3.58 a gallon. AAA reports the increase is because of rising crude oil, unrest overseas, and summer travel. While the price at the pump is hard for most people, a local professor says the rise in cost can be a good thing for Kansas. "I think it's going to drive some good behavior. I think you're going to see more cars fueled by natural gas. You're going to see an increase in demand for Ethanol and in Wichita that's a good story...So for the local economy it's got lots of pluses," said Malcolm Harris a finance professor for Friends University.