A Federal Reserve report released today is offering new evidence the national economy is recovering from the recession. The so-called "beige book" survey finds overall economic activity is up for most regions, including the Midwest. The last beige book, published in January, found only scattered signs of recovery. If the recession is ending it will be one of the mildest in history. Toby Madden is an economist with the Federal Reserve district in Minneapolis. He says he's happy to report the increase in economic activity, even if it is only slight: