The benchmark interest rate in America is higher now than it was before the new chair of the Federal Reserve’s briefing yesterday. 2.77 percent is the 10 year yield versus 2.67 percent. We get our own briefing from Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial in Chicago.

And, the Labor Department is expected to release its annual report on the job situation for veterans soon. The jobless rate for those who served after 9/11 has tended to be higher than the overall unemployment rate. Though typically highly skilled, disciplined and hard-working, veterans of recent conflicts often have more difficulty than civilians in finding work.

Meanwhile, more than two years after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake damaged the Washington Monument, the U.S. National Park Service is readying to reopen it to tourists this spring. Examining and repairing the monument’s more than 30,000 stone pieces cost $15 million, but that work is being paid for in a novel way. The government split the tab with billionaire David Rubenstein.