L.A. County's unemployment rate in October was a reasonable 5.1 percent, unchanged from the previous month though well above the 4.5 percent level in October, 2006. The statewide rate also remained unchanged at 5.6 percent (U.S. unemployment was 4.7 percent in October). Between September and October, L.A. added 7,800 jobs - much of that due to the new school year. Curiously, there was a sizeable drop in motion picture and sound recording jobs, which would seem to run counter to those reports of stepped-up activity in the weeks leading up to the writers strike. Another curiosity: a relatively small drop in construction jobs. Obviously, next month could be a different kettle of fish, what with the shuttering of so much TV and movie production. (EDD release)