Latest Unemployment News
Question for Fed: Has it waited too long to fight inflation?
WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation surging, unemployment falling and wages rising, some economists are warning that the Federal Reserve may have waited too long to reverse its ultra-low-rate policies — a delay that could put the economy at heightened risk. On Wednesday, the...
Hochul, lawmakers weigh spending amid calls for COVID-19 aid
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Millions of New Yorkers should expect tax relief, thanks to the next state budget, but it’s far from clear how the state will use billions in rising tax revenues this year. Any big spending increases will depend in part on the fine print in Gov. Kathy Hochul's...
EXPLAINER: 5 key takeaways from the December jobs report
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the fastest years of job creation in U.S. history stumbled at the finish line in December. Hobbled by shortages of workers and persistent threats from the coronavirus, America's employers added just 199,000 jobs last month — the lowest monthly haul since...
US unemployment sinks to 3.9% as many more people find jobs
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's unemployment rate fell in December to a healthy 3.9% — a pandemic low — even as employers added a modest 199,000 jobs, evidence that they are struggling to fill jobs with many Americans reluctant to return to the workforce. The drop in the jobless...
US jobless claims rise by 7,000, but still low at 207,000
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remained at historically low levels, suggesting that the job market remains strong. U.S. jobless claims rose by 7,000 last week to 207,000. The four-week average of claims, which smooths...
State jobless rate is falling, workforce still catching up
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s unemployment rate has fallen significantly since the coronavirus pandemic had shut down much of the economy last year. But the state's labor force is still slightly smaller than what it was before the pandemic began. The Richmond Times-Dispatch...
US unemployment claims drop to 198,000
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell below 200,000, more evidence that the job market remains strong in the aftermath of last year's coronavirus recession. Jobless claims dropped by 8,000 to 198,000, the Labor Department reported...
Economists, business leaders: Nebraska's 2021 economy stable
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's economy fared better than in most of the U.S. this year amid inflation, labor shortages, rising wages and supply chain struggles, economists and business leaders say. The state's economy in 2021 was stable despite high-profile challenges, the Omaha...
Forecast: Florida job growth will outpace nation next year
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Job growth in Florida will outpace the national economy, and unemployment will continue to decline in 2022, according to a new economic forecast for the Sunshine State. Florida's unemployment rate, which stood at 4.5% in November, is expected to continue...
Payrolls grow, but Pennsylvania's labor force shrinks again
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell for the ninth straight month and payrolls grew again in November, according to new state figures, but the labor force shrank, as did the workforce participation rate. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped...
