L.A. County unemployment in October was at its highest level level in more than 12 years. The 8.4 percent rate is up a bunch from 7.7 percent in September. The statewide rate was 8.2 percent, up from 7.7 percent in September. L.A. payrolls rose by 14,400 jobs from the previous month, but fell by 15,500 jobs from a year earlier. The monthly gain came largely from government jobs, masking significant drops in manufacturing and hospitality. (EDD, LABJ)