CEO confidence experienced the largest quarterly gain in the fourth quarter of 2011 at 98.8, up from 83.5 in the third quarter, according to the Vistage CEO Confidence Index.

The Columbus mayor's office says an initiative to increase employment in central Ohio has resulted in nearly 1,200 hirings since September.

How much chatter is OK when there's work to be done? And, what if the discussions get a little heated?

The subpoenaed chief of North Carolina's unemployment benefits office found herself Wednesday in an uncomfortable spot before a General Assembly committee talking to legislators about billions owned to the federal government and how jobless data is shared with the governor.