Kyle Whitmire: The Truth Behind Alabama’s Unemployment Numbers

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2013/12/kylewhitmire-751.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:28:"2013/12/kylewhitmire-751.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"kylewhitmire-751-336x168.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:168;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"kylewhitmire-751-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:26:"kylewhitmire-751-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"kylewhitmire-751-470x235.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:235;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"kylewhitmire-751-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:131697;s:14:"optimized_size";i:83119;s:7:"percent";d:36.890000000000001;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:56:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:32584;s:14:"optimized_size";i:19087;s:7:"percent";d:41.420000000000002;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6224;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4658;s:7:"percent";d:25.16;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-336x168.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:14630;s:14:"optimized_size";i:9824;s:7:"percent";d:32.850000000000001;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-600x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:31463;s:14:"optimized_size";i:19174;s:7:"percent";d:39.060000000000002;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:17436;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11114;s:7:"percent";d:36.259999999999998;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-470x235.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:23851;s:14:"optimized_size";i:15121;s:7:"percent";d:36.600000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:64:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/12/kylewhitmire-751-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:5509;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4141;s:7:"percent";d:24.829999999999998;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1657151114 
1387324800

In 2010, Alabama’s unemployment rate was around 10 percent. Governor Robert Bently campaigned on the promise to reduce unemployment numbers, and to not draw a paycheck until he did. Today, unemployment is down to 6.5 percent in Alabama. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Kyle Whitmire with Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss Alabama unemployment and job growth.

 

How good was the forecast? Texas officials and the National Weather Service disagree

As searchers continue to look for victims in the deadly flash flooding in Texas, officials are answering questions about the weather forecasts ahead of and during the storm.

Musk forms new party after split with Trump over tax and spending bill

Musk said he's carrying out his threat to form a new political party after a falling out with Trump over the president's sweeping tax cuts law.

Knives, bullets and thieves: the quest for food in Gaza

NPR's Gaza producer faced Israeli military fire, private U.S. contractors pointing laser beams at his forehead and masked thieves as he tried to get food from a U.S.-supported group.

4 things to know about the vaccine ingredient thimerosal

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended against flu shots containing the ingredient thimerosal. Why is the additive, safely used since the 1930s, being questioned again?

Tropical Storm Chantal strengthens slightly as it nears landfall in South Carolina

Tropical Storm Chantal grew in strength as it approached the southeast U.S. coast. It's forecasted to bring heavy rains to parts of the Carolinas on Sunday.

Dalai Lama, a global symbol of Tibetan culture and resistance, turns 90

The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala.

More Government Coverage