The government revised upward its assessment of the economy; gross domestic product for October to December increased from a 2.4 percent annualized rate of growth to 2.6 percent. We consult Diane Swonk, chief finacial officer at Mesirow Financial in Chicago, for some perspective.

And, in his ruling, Peter Ohr, the regional director of the National Labor Relations Board wrote that there is abundant evidence student athletes are treated as employees. He cited the long hours (over 40 per week) spent training, wrote that athletes are paid, in the form of scholarships, and noted that Northwestern rakes in big bucks and prestige when the football team wins.

Even with a large research university and seaside real estate, it’s hard for Santa Cruz to compete with Silicon Valley’s pull on engineers and entrepreneurs. Every morning, more than 20,000 people leave Santa Cruz county and commute to work in the Valley. Sick of the commute, Santa Cruz tries own tech hub.