Top Vermont elected officials called Wednesday for legislation that would allow the state's public retirement funds to recoup money from employees convicted of fraud or embezzlement against a public agency.

Congress is ushering in the new and the old dozens of eager freshmen determined to change Washington and the harsh reality of another stretch of bitterly divided government.

More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though the winter holidays likely distorted the data for the second straight week.

The good news: Some tax advantages for Roth 401(k) conversions and charitable donations. The bad news? Washington wants all of your deferred taxes, soon.