WASHINGTON – The government’s latest count of stimulus jobs significantly overstates the effects of the $787 billion program under a popular federal preschool program, raising fresh questions about the process the Obama administration is using to tout the success of its economic recovery plan.

An Associated Press review of the latest stimulus reports – which the White House promised would undergo extensive reviews to ensure accuracy – found that more than two-thirds of 14,506 jobs credited to the recovery act under spending by just one federal office were overstated because they counted pay increases for existing workers as jobs saved.

The inflated job count is at least partly the product of the administration instructing local community agencies that received money to count the raises as jobs saved.

White House: Tuesday’s GOP wins not about Obama

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The White House says that Republican wins in two governors’ races were not referendums on the president.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that voters went to the polls in Virginia and New Jersey to work through “very local issues that didn’t involve the president.” President Barack Obama’s spokesman said voters were primarily concerned about the economy.

Obama called the two Republicans who won gubernatorial contests on Tuesday, Chris Christie in New Jersey and Robert McDonnell in Virginia, to offer congratulations. Obama also called the two Democrats who won special elections for congressional seats in New York and California, and independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who won re-election in New York City.

Authorities: At least 11 victims at Cleveland home

The Associated Press

CLEVELAND – Authorities say they have confirmed a total of at least 11 victims whose remains were found in the Cleveland home of a registered sex offender.

The Cuyahoga County coroner’s office said Wednesday that a skull found in a bucket in Anthony Sowell’s basement belonged to a body they have not yet found.

Authorities also say they have identified one of the victims as 53-year-old Tonia Carmichael, who disappeared a year ago.

Police Chief Michael McGrath says her remains were buried in the back yard and had marks indicating she was strangled.

Carmichael’s daughter Markiesha Carmichael-Jacobs says her mother struggled with drug addiction and frequented Sowell’s neighborhood.