The Shasta County unemployment rate has dropped. At 5%, April was a half of one percent below March and 3-tenths of a point below April of last year. The year-over labor force was identical, but there were 700 fewer than March. Year-over gains were seen in wholesale trade and business services, as well as the private education and health sector. There were losses in government jobs and various service industries. Tehama County had a 5.8% jobless rate last month. It was 5.6% in Trinity County and 7.3% in Siskiyou County. The statewide rate was 5% and it was 4% nationally.
-Steve Gibson