Nonfarm payrolls rise 227,000 in February * Unemployment rate steady at 8.3 percent * Average hourly earnings rise 3 cents * Solid job gains reduces need for Fed action U.S. employment grew solidly for a third straight month in February, a sign the economic recovery was broadening and in less need of further monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve. Employers added 227,000 jobs to their payrolls last month, the Labor Department said on Friday, while the unemployment rate held at a three-year low of 8.3 percent. It marked the first time since early 2011 that payrolls have grown by more than 200,000 for three months ... (full story)