Unemployment

North Carolina’s jobless rate fell further in October to 4.1% as the overall number of people employed kept growing. The state Commerce Department unveiled the seasonally adjusted rate on Friday. It compares to a revised September rate of 4.3%.

The latest numbers show the national unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.2% in August from 5.4% in July. The new numbers were released Friday, just before federal supplemental unemployment benefits ended.

On Labor Day, federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits expire. They include three programs established in March of 2020 as part of the CARES Act. For more on the programs and what they're ending might mean for unemployed workers and Charlotte's economy, WFAE's "Morning Edition" host Marshall Terry talks to Bruce Clarke of Catapult, a group that works with employers across the state.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed legislation Friday that would have ended additional federal benefits created during the pandemic for North Carolina’s unemployed before the program expires nationwide. His action counters trends by Republican governors to no longer accept the supplemental payments.

South Carolina workers on unemployment will see a drop in benefits this week as the state ends the extra $300 a week in unemployment assistance from the federal government.

North Carolina would end offering supplemental benefits from the federal government to the state's unemployed in roughly a month under legislation finalized Wednesday by Republicans in charge of the General Assembly. But House and Senate Democrats voted almost unanimously against the compromise, signaling a possible veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

South Carolina announced a new partnership Tuesday giving free job training to anyone currently receiving unemployment.

Mississippi, Missouri, Alaska and Iowa are ending the extra $300-a-week unemployment benefit provided as part of COVID-19 relief in a controversial bid to get people back to work.

North Carolina business leaders say legislative action is needed to entice workers into rejoining the workforce as many businesses struggle to find workers going into the summer season.

North Carolina state senators have advanced a proposal giving $1,500 bonuses to unemployment benefit recipients who return to work this summer. A Senate committee voted Wednesday for the measure, which is designed to help employers struggling to fill positions as post-pandemic restrictions end.