AP focuses more financial impact coverage on state and local economic indicators

NEW YORK -- The Associated Press is expanding its coverage of state and local economic indicators provided by the federal government. It’s part of the increased focus by the AP Business News department on financial impact.

“Our expanded coverage of economic indicators is designed to help readers get beyond the national statistics and understand employment news and trends at the state and local level,” said AP Business Editor Hal Ritter. “The global economic downturn affects readers everywhere, but its impact can vary greatly from state to state and even within a state.”

This month, AP begins coverage of the monthly metropolitan area employment report produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That follows January’s AP coverage of the BLS monthly regional and state employment report.

In March, the Business News department will augment its coverage of the Federal Reserve’s “beige book” report, which is a summary of anecdotal information on current economic conditions gathered by each of the Federal Reserve Bank’s 12 regional districts. The report is published eight times per year.