Unemployment Continues Downward
The national unemployment rate dropped to 10.2% in July, compared to 11.1% for June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total employment grew by 1,350,000.
First time jobless claims dropped below 1 million for the week ending August 8. This is the first time since March 14 that first time claims were less than 1 million. Total claims dropped more than 600,000 compared to the prior week.
Iowa’s unemployment claims dropped below 100,000 for the first time since March, according to Iowa Workforce Development. New claims were 5,282 for the week of August 2-August 8. The Iowa unemployment numbers for July will be available August 21.
Some Cities Have Spike in Murders
I should have reported last week that Des Moines has had 14 murders so far in 2020, compared to 13 for all of 2019.
Gallup: Black Americans Don’t Want Fewer Police
According to a Gallup Poll published August 5, 2020, most Black Americans don’t agree with the radicals who want to defund, or reduce funding for, the police. The poll shows that the big majority want either the same amount of police presence in their communities or more. Only 19% want fewer police in their neighborhood, while 20% want more and 61% want the same level. It should not be surprising that those who are disproportionate victims of crime would not want less protection.
