Unemployment in Alabama is down slightly and wages are higher than it’s been in seven years. A-P-R student reporter Nia Craig has more on the state's employment rates…
Employment has increased by 7,200 jobs. According to the governor’s office the state’s jobless rate for October was 5.9 percent. This is one-tenth of a point from 6 percent in September.
The government sector has gained more than half of these jobs. There were also increases in the professional and business services area, plus the trade and transportation sector.
Total wage and salary employment in the state is the highest since the great recession in November 2008. The numbers currently stand at 1.97 million jobs
Wilcox County has the state's highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent. Shelby County is lowest at 4 percent.
For APR News I'm Nia Craig, in Tuscaloosa.
It will be senior day at Bryant Denny Stadium as Number Two Alabama hosts Charleston Southern on Saturday. Twenty-five Crimson Tide seniors will be honored just before kickoff in the final home game of the season.
Coach Nick Saban says this group means a lot to his program…
“I certainly hope that our fans show the kind of appreciation that we all should have for what these guys have, what their sort of hard work, blood, sweat and tears has contributed to the program over the last four or five years.”
The senior class, headlined by linebacker Reggie Ragland, running back Kenyan Drake and others have helped Alabama to a 45-and-6 record in the past four seasons. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says blocking potential terrorists from entering the U.S. through the Syrian refugee program is akin to handling a rabid dog.
At a campaign stop in Alabama on Thursday, Carson says that wanting to get rid of a "mad dog" doesn't mean you don't love all dogs.
He says new restrictions wouldn't mean America lacks compassion.
Carson is among the GOP hopefuls who have called for closing the nation's borders to Syrian refugees. President Barack Obama has cast that position as un-American.
Governor Bentley has stated that he will refuse for Syrian refugees to be brought to Alabama.