L.A. jobless rate unchanged

The county unemployment rate for March was 12.4 percent, a couple of points lower than the statewide figure, which edged higher for the month. California was tied with Rhode Island with the third-highest jobless rate (Michigan and Nevada are higher). When looking at both the state and local numbers, the good news is that unemployment appears to be peaking out in the 12.5 percent range. The bad news is that those numbers show little sign of dropping significantly any time soon. A separate payroll survey shows a gain of almost 10,000 jobs in L.A. County, with the biggest additions in leisure and hospitality (the restaurant business is improving) and local government (what's that all about?). California picked up 4,200 jobs, a little disappointing given the big increases nationwide and among several states. Another not-so-wonder stat: California has lost 458,600 jobs over the past 12 months, by far the largest loss of any state. (BLS, EDD)