Idaho employment best in years

BOISE (AP) — Latest jobless rates show that Idaho is at its lowest in nearly seven years.

According to the Idaho Statesman (http://bit.ly/1r7OEdU), a declining labor force and above average employer payrolls drove Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate below 4 percent in November. It’s the lowest since early 2008 and below two-tenths of a percentage point from October.

A year ago, Idaho’s unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.

This is the 13th year Idaho’s jobless rate has been lower than the national average.

Total jobs exceeded prerecession peaks for the second month in a row, however year-over-year gain remains at 1.9 percent.

New hires, or those who filled job openings through retirements or other reasons, jumped 15,000 during the month. It was the highest November total since 2007.