ECONOMY

Oil is big business in Oklahoma, and the industry has been a boon for many cities here. But there are concerns that techniques used for extracting oil are behind a surge in temblors in the state.

A labor dispute between shipping lines and dock workers has created big cargo backups at many West Coast ports. The slowdown is touching nearly every part of the nation's consumer economy.

Early in 2014, the economy was floored by the polar vortex — plus, businesses and consumers were dazed by a government shutdown and debt limit fight. But it rebounded, and analysts are optimistic.

Many Iranians seem prepared to shift relations with the West. But there are also plenty of skeptics when it comes to the prospect of a nuclear deal and normal ties with the U.S.

No cargo will go in or out of 29 West Coast ports this weekend because of a labor dispute that has been dragging on for months. And now the economic impacts of the shutdown are starting to be felt.

Valentines Day is this one day when one product — a red rose — is worth two or three times more than it is at any other time of the year. If a florist catches that window, he's golden. But the process of getting the roses to is fraught with risk, middlemen, crazy expense and bad weather.

As the economy improves, political debates change. President Obama says it's time to focus on stagnant middle-class incomes. Republicans are trying to come up with their agenda for the middle class.