Tagged: Economy and Business

Washington’s jobless rate dropped just slightly in September. State economists Wednesday pegged unemployment at 8.5 percent. That erases a small uptick in August.

New data released Tuesday by the Oregon Employment Department show the state's unemployment rate held steady in September, coming in at a seasonally adjusted 8.7 percent. Economists blame the results on weaker than expected seasonal job growth.

An Oregon-based advertising company really likes Facebook. The social media giant unveiled Thursday a first-ever advertising campaign that was created by Portland firm Wieden + Kennedy. The company will also serve as Facebook's chief advertising agency.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a percent in August to 8.9 percent. Since reaching a peak of about 11.5 percent during the recent recession, Oregon's unemployment rate had been falling - albeit very slowly. But since May, it's been climbing again from a low of 8.4 percent to now 8.9 percent.

Crews continue to make progress on several wildfires in central Washington. State health officials say the air is smoky enough around Wenatchee to be unhealthy for people with sensitive respiratory systems.

Liquor sales in Washington are up – way up. That’s according to new figures out Monday on the period after the state’s new privatization law took effect. They show July’s retail sales increased 21 percent over the previous year. And that’s despite higher prices on spirits.