By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The state's unemployment rate was five-point-two percent last month. That's the best rate of the year and is also lower than the national rate. The state Department of Industrial Relations reports the jobless number dropped from five-point-five percent in October. One year ago, November's rate was five-point-nine percent. Governor Bob Riley says the state's economy is benefiting from new industries and expansions of existing ones. Shelby County recorded the lowest unemployment rate at two-point-two percent. The worst rates were recorded in the Black Belt region. Bullock County's was 15-point-five percent.