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Jobless Rate Ticks Down in Region in May; RI Leads

WAMC file photo

New England's unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point in May and is near its lowest level since January 2009.  WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

The New England office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday the jobless rate in the region was 6.8 percent last month, down from 6.9 percent in April. Officials say it has fallen 1.1 by percent in the last year.

The national rate is 8.2 percent.

Rhode Island has the highest unemployment rate in the region, at 11 percent, and the second highest in the United States. Nevada's is 11.6 percent.

Vermont's unemployment rate of 4.6 percent is the lowest in the region and the fourth lowest in the U.S.

Lucas Willard, WAMC News. 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.