Arizona's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in May, down one-tenth of a point from April. The manufacturing sector added the most jobs. Overall, Arizona lost 15,000 non-farm jobs. Most of those were public employees, including teachers and government workers. State economists say the Arizona jobless rate was 8 percent a year ago. The national unemployment rate was unchanged last month, remaining at 6.3 percent.
Al Macias, former KJZZ news director, is part of an elite class of trusted, veteran journalists who have covered Arizona news for more than 30 years.