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Republican Gov. Rick Scott is calling his first legislative session a success, pointing at tax cuts, changes to the Medicaid program, education bills, a measure requiring state employees to pay into their pensions and more as victories that will make Florida more attractive for businesses.

The economy gained 244,000 net jobs in April — the third straight month of solid gains. Yet the unemployment rate rose from 8.8 percent to 9 percent.

Companies created 268,000 jobs in April, the most since February 2006. The gains were widespread. Retailers, factories, financial companies, education and health care and even construction companies all added jobs.

Prudential Financial Inc. on Wednesday said that its first-quarter profit rose 10 percent as sales of its insurance products and annuities increased and investment income rose.

After two bad years in which gamblers either stayed home or held onto their wallets more tightly, the nation's casinos began to slowly rebound last year, with revenue increasing slightly even as the number of jobs declined.

Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Wednesday a key measure of revenue rose in April, but the growth was slightly below Wall Street expectations.