—
(AP) — In May, Limestone County had the third lowest unemployment rate of any county in the state, at 6.4 percent. However, the state’s rate increased for the first time since last summer.
State officials announced Friday that the rate rose from 7.2 percent in April to 7.4 percent in May.
Gov. Robert Bentley said the increase was expected because the national rate increased from 8.1 percent in April to 8.2 percent in May and Alabama’s rate traditionally goes up a little in May. State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said that’s due, in part, to new high school and college graduates entering the workforce. He said that was reflected in the state’s labor force increasing by 6,000 people in May.
He said the higher rate in May also stems from education employees who aren’t working in the summer months.
“But when you look at the state’s long-term trend, our unemployment figures now are much lower than they were at this time last year. Additionally, we have announced thousands of new jobs that are coming to the state with new and expanding industry,” Bentley said.
Alabama’s unemployment rate in May 2011 was 9.3 percent. The rate hit 10.0 percent in July 2011 and then declined for the next nine months before ticking up in May.
May’s figure represents more than 159,000 Alabama residents looking for work, an increase of about 5,000 from the previous month. But it’s about 44,000 less than a year ago.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rate were Shelby at 5.2 percent, Coffee at 6.3 percent and Limestone at 6.4 percent. Counties with the highest rates were Wilcox at 16.2 percent, Lowndes at 15.0 percent, and Dallas at 13.3 percent.
Local News
County has third lowest jobless rate
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: I-65 wreck kills 1, injures 3
James Thomas Shaddy Jr., 69, of Petersburg, Tenn., died Tuesday night at the scene from blunt-force trauma after he was ejected from the 2002 GMC Envoy he was riding in, said Limestone Coroner Mike West.
-
Error in fatal shooting case prompts attorney to seek bail for Moyers
Woodroof said after Wednesday’s hearing he would consider the matter of bail and render his decision.
- Alabama 19th in federal revenue for state spending
-
County Commission chairman has online impostor
Stanley Menefee, 68, chairman of the Limestone County Commission and a Republican, was alerted last week that someone had created a Facebook page masquerading as ... Stanley Menefee.
-
Interior demolition completed on temporary courthouse
Once the courts move into their temporary quarters, renovations to the second and third floors of the Limestone County Courthouse can resume.
-
Board approves Garris as new Elkmont principal
The Limestone County Board of Education approved the contract for Garth Garris, 44, during Tuesday’s board meeting. Garris was named the new principal of Ekmont High School, and he begins work June 24.
-
KALB moves forward on Farmers Market green space
Kevin Bryant of Turf Doctor Inc. has also been brought on board as a consultant for planting and overall design. Hart said Bryant is assisting the team with the science involved in growing healthy foods. Their main goal is to cultivate produce without using pesticides.
-
Low-performing list unveiled with 78 schools
No schools within the Limestone or Athens school systems were identified as schools needing improvement on the complete 78-school list revealed by state Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice during a mid-morning press conference in Montgomery.
- 'Refuse to Be a Victim' class location changed
- 3,000 without power in West
- More Local News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
