Alabama Unemployment Rate Goes Down
New Unemployment Numbers Released
Alabama’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.5% for November, down from October’s rate of 8.1% and below the November 2011 rate of 8.3%. Alabama’s rate is also below the national average of 7.7% Preliminary numbers indicate that 162,182 Alabamians were unemployed in November 2012. This number does not include those people who have given up looking for work.
“The unemployment rate can fluctuate given the time of year,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We are encouraged that the overall trend shows a decreasingly unemployment rate, and I will continue my efforts to create more jobs until everyone who wants a job is able to find one.”
Retail employment increased by 3,700 jobs in November, the build of that coming from hiring in general merchandise and department stores. The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby (4.6%), Lee and Madison (5.6%) and St. Clair, Coffee, Blount and Limestone (5.7%). The counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox (15.9%), Bullock (14.1%) and Dallas (13.2%). Jefferson County’s unemployment rates was 6.4%.
Workers at Alabama’s Mercedes plants vote against joining a union
The workers voted 56% against the union, according to tallies released by the National Labor Relations Board, which ran the election.
Taylor Hunnicutt is championing her home state with debut album ‘Alabama Sound’
Alabama offers a diverse symphony of swampy rock, swaggering blues, murky country, and bone-rattling soul. It’s a sound singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt recently reimagined on her debut album, Alabama Sound, which is out now.
UAB building among Alabama’s first to feature ‘bird safe’ glass
Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.
Researchers look into community health impact of wood pellet production in rural Mississippi
Brown University and Tougaloo College students are testing for potential air and noise pollution near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi.
Alabama coal company sued for a home explosion is delinquent on dozens of penalties
Crimson Oak Grove Resources has been cited for 204 safety violations since the March 8 blast, many involving “significant and substantial” safety violations.
The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plant
The United Auto Workers is aiming for a key victory at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. More than 5,000 workers at the facility in Vance and nearby battery plant will vote this week on whether to join the UAW.
