Federal Reserve officials are more upbeat about the prospects for employment for the rest of this year but foresee higher inflation than they did at the start of the year.

The Massachusetts House voted Tuesday to dramatically strengthen the power of city and town leaders to change health insurance plans for municipal employees over the objections of unions.

The unemployment rate fell last month in more than 80 percent of the nation's largest metro areas, adding to evidence that the recent pickup in hiring is widespread.

Only 19 percent of recent college graduates believe Social Security will still exist by the time they retire.