Hiring surges in January

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a long-awaited surge of hiring, companies added 243,000 jobs in January — across the economy, up and down the pay scale and far more than just about anyone expected. Unemployment fell to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years.

Jobs report pushes Dow to 4-year high

NEW YORK (AP) — The Dow Jones industrial average has closed at its highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis.

Micron CEO dies in plane crash

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The chief executive and chairman of the Boise-based memory chip maker Micron died Friday morning when a small, experimental fixed-wing plane he was piloting crashed at the Boise airport, the company said.

State Farm to hire 3,000 employees

BLOOMINGTON (AP) — State Farm Insurance plans to hire 3,000 people across the U.S. and Canada and add 900 agents.

Beam profits rise 10 percent

DEERFIELD (AP) — Spirits company Beam Inc. said Friday that its fourth-quarter net income rose 10 percent on improving sales of its major brands, new product launches and lower costs.