(Graphic by Graham Clark)

It's hard to tell how the economy is doing nationwide, especially since one side of the government touts growth while the other insists we are still taking.

The best way to know how America is really faring?  Look at economic indicators, a compilation of statistics provided by various government agencies, such as the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But what to do with the deluge of data coming from a multitude of industries? From agriculture and tourism, to oil and ambulances, we break down the numbers and talk to folks familiar with their immediate impact. 

Some of the stories are local, some regional—but each captures a small portrait of American business and provides a glimpse into the possible comeback of the U.S. economy.

The stories:

Ambulatory Jobs Highest Gain, Hospital Employment Lags by Denise Guerra

Rising Oil Prices Sting West Coast Drivers by Meng Meng

Small Business Owners' Optimism About Economy Fell In August by Lexie Barker

L.A. Hotels Keep Building On Tourism Boom by Yifan Zhu

L.A. Loses Out On U.S. Manufacturing Boom by Heather McIlvaine

Peanut Crop Short And Cheap Thanks To Last Year’s Historic Yields by Brianna Sacks