Energy giant Xcel Energy’s push to freeze and cut its incentives program for residential solar power is sending tremors though the solar industry and could impact as many as half the 5,300 installation jobs in the state, industry execs tell the Denver Post. Some companies have already announced hiring freezes, and others are anticipating layoffs.

Being without work can obviously cause a lot of agony, even for the employed, as spouses of the unemployed are at risk of serious stress, says University of Colorado associate professor Maw-Der Foo (Daily Camera). Companies should take note if they have a worker with an unemployed spouse at home: “Organizations can implement family-friendly policies to help their employees fulfill their family roles, which in turn may increase the employee’s productivity,” he says.

Linda Johnson is among the recently unemployed wading through the experience for the first time. But the Colorado Springs woman was in for a surprise when she tried filing her unemployment benefits for the first time (Gazette). Twice she was connected with a sex talk line after dialing the number on a letter she received from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. State officials assure it was a one-time mix-up.