[naviga:h2]Unemployment rate falls to 4.5%[/naviga:h2]

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added just 98,000 jobs last month, the fewest in a year, though the unemployment rate fell to an almost seven-year low of 4.5 percent.

The Labor Department said the unemployment rate fell because nearly a half-million more Americans found jobs. The number of people working and the new job count are done by separate surveys.

Economists had expected a fall-off in hiring after job gains in January and February had averaged a robust 237,000. Those increases had been fueled partly by strong hiring in construction, which occurred because of unseasonably warm weather.

[naviga:h2]Arizona expands school vouchers[/naviga:h2]

PHOENIX — Republican Arizona lawmakers on Thursday dramatically expanded a school voucher program by extending eligibility to all 1.1 million state schoolchildren despite vehement opposition from Democrats who believe it will undercut public education and cost taxpayers untold millions of dollars.

It now heads to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who tweeted that he expected to sign the measure Thursday night. “When parents have more choices, kids win,” his tweet said.

If signed, the program would give Arizona one of broadest voucher programs in the nation.

[naviga:h2]Woman arrested after Disney dispute[/naviga:h2]

ORLANDO, Fla. — Authorities in Florida said a woman is accused of child abuse after choking a teenager who refused to sit down during a fireworks display at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

An Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report said 41-year-old Tabbatha Kay Mature of Baltimore, Mich., was sitting with her family Wednesday night, waiting for the nightly fireworks display. The teen, who was visiting the park with friends, stood up when the show started, blocking the Mature family’s view.

According to reports, Mature “became aggravated” when they wouldn’t sit down. The girl and her friends decided to leave. Deputies said she told Mature, “You can take our spot.”

That’s when deputies said Mature wrapped her hands around the girl’s neck and squeezed.

The girl wasn’t injured.

Mature was released from jail on a $2,000 bond.