California Jobless Rate Tickles 12%

Talk of an economic rejuvenation in recent weeks got a sobering smack in the face Friday as California’s jobless figures were released. The Golden State’s unemployment rolls reached 11.9 percent in July, a post-World War II high.

Los Angeles Times:

California’s jobless rate reached a fresh post-World War II high in July, climbing to 11.9%, a sobering reminder that though the nation’s deep downturn may be nearing its end, the state’s employment woes are far from over.

Golden State employers cut their payrolls by 35,800 jobs in July, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. That’s a significant improvement over monthly losses that averaged 76,000 over the first half of the year.

Still, July’s numbers were worse than some analysts had expected, rising from 11.6% in June and led by declines in trade, construction and manufacturing. Even with the rise in unemployment here, however, a consensus is growing that the worst of the recession may be over.

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