White House-backed immigration legislation is gaining momentum in the Senate, where lawmakers say they are closing in on a bipartisan compromise to spend tens of billions of dollars stiffening the bill's border security requirements without delaying legalization for millions living in the country unlawfully.

Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by 18,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 354,000. Despite the gain, the level remains consistent with moderate job growth.

Still a little hazy about the health care overhaul? You have plenty of company.

Despite a growing demand from consumer and industry groups for greater transparency from health benefits providers, health plans continue to resist offering much beyond the most basic tools to evaluate pricing and related factors.