L.A. unemployment edges up

The August jobless rate in L.A. County was a seasonally adjusted 4.8 percent, up from 4.5 percent in July but still considered quite low for such a large, urban population. The national rate in August was 4.7 percent. Statewide, unemployment was 4.9 percent, down from 6.3 percent in October 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor. And yes, it was a campaign topic today. Total nonfarm employment in L.A. County was up 3,300 jobs, to a little over 4 million. Here are the Employment Development Department numbers.