175,000 Jobs Created in May

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has issued its May jobs report. While 175,000 jobs were created the unemployment rate edged up slightly from 7.5% to 7.6%. The drop is largely due to additional participation in the labor force.

Congressional hearing on unemployment poorly attended

A hearing of the Joint Economic Committee recently met to discuss long term unemployment. Only 4 of the 20 committee members attended. No Republican Member attended.

Job growth spurts

The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects strong job growth in February - 236,000, far better than estimates, and a drop in unemployment rate to 7.7%, the lowest point since December of 2008.

Modest job growth continues in December

The January jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates 155,000 jobs were created in December. Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8%.

November jobs report brings more good news

The November jobs report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates the economy added 146,000 jobs. Unemployment dropped to 7.7%.

Jobs report = growth 158k

The October jobs report, set for Friday release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be the most anticipated significant event remaining in the 2012 presidential campaign. ADP's private sector payroll report released today notes the private sector added 158,000 jobs during the month. Over half of the jobs creation was by large businesses having more than 1000 employees. The BLS report, which will include information on public and private sector jobs, has during the great recession, reflected a bit smaller jobs growth due to the inclusion of the public sector information. Interesting also it appears ADP has changed its methodology in advance of this latest report. That fact is certain to inspire partisan wrangling over the report's results.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda?

ThinkProgress blames lackluster job growth on Republicans blocking passage of the American Jobs Act.

Middling jobs growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported net job growth in August was shy of 100,000. Private sector jobs expanded by 103,000 and public sector jobs declined by 7,000. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 8.1%.

Jobs, jobs and politics

The jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is due out Friday. It will likely have a higher than usual effect upon the political scene. A better than expected number good for the President, and a worse than expected number better for Gov. Romney. The jobs issue is a major one for the 2012 campaign. Talking Points Memo does a good job of "truthifying" the debate.

Ruh Roh

The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes a net job creation of only 69,000, and that the unemployment rate has risen to 8.2%. Also of note the jobs numbers for March and April were revised downward.

Job growth slows

Job growth slowed in April with only 115,000 new jobs created. unemployment dips to 8.1%.

Unemployment drops to 8.3%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its January jobs report this morning, and the news is BTE. Private sector jobs grew by 257,000 but declines in public sector employment reduced the non-farm payroll employment gain to 243,000. The report also adjusted upward the gains reported for November and December 2011. The 8.3% rate is the lowest in three years.

Louisiana job growth

Good news on state and local unemployment and job creation. The Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) reported that the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 6.8% in December. Thats down from 7.7% in December 2010. The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced December marked the 15th consecutive month the state added private sector jobs. Statewide job growth in 2011 was 48,300.

Unemployment trends down slightly

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) October jobs report reflects unemployment slipped to 9.0% down from 9.1 the previous month. Private sector employment grew by 104,000 and government employment losses (24,000) partially offset the private sector gains

National Economy grows to tread water state, local economy fares better

In a mild surprise third quarter growth in the U.S. GDP reached 2.5%, almost doubling second quarter growth, according to the Commerce Department. In Louisiana job growth continues with the New Orleans area adding almost 11,000 jobs between September 2010 and September 2011. The metro area unemployment rate in September was 6.9%.

Slim job growth in September

Private sector employers added a meager 137,000 jobs in September, while the public sector continues to shed jobs according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent while the underemployment rate inched up to 16.5% (from 16.2%). Both the July and AUgust estimates were revised upward, but only slightly.

Local unemployment lower than nation

Unemployment has drifted downward locally and statewide. While there is no job boom, things are better here then elsewhere. Article and charts here.

Economy up - unemployment, Dow down

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the July jobs report today. Private sector employment increased by 154,000 jobs, but that gain was partially offset by continuing loss of public sector jobs. Unemployment declined marginally to 9.1%. Dow drops 500, worst day since 2008 financial crisis.

Unemployment rises in June

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a slight uptick in unemployment 9.1 to 9.2%.

Unemployment drops in March

Unemployment in March fell to 8.8%, a two year low. The full Bureau of Labor Statistics report is here.