MIDDAY UPDATE: Unemployment hits 9.8 percent; Congress turns down the volume on TV commercials

The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 9.8 percent in November from 9.6 percent, marking the highest jobless rate since April. The Labor Department reported that the economy created 39,000 jobs last month, falling short of analysts’ expectations.

Congress passed legislation that sets rules on how loud television commercials can be. (Finally — no more loud, annoying ads that force you to hit the mute button.)

And Verizon Wireless is advertising 4G service, but as it turns out, the provider’s service doesn’t technically match up to the 4G standards set by the United Nations.