Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Unemployment In LA Rises To Nearly 21 Percent
Closed storefronts in Los Angeles's fashion district. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
California's unemployment rate for May was 16.3% according to new numbers released Friday by the state's Employment Development Department (EDD).
The state's unemployment rate remains much higher than during any past recession on record. But it actually ticked down slightly from April's revised figure of 16.4%.
Jobs in food service and manufacturing began picking up again. Construction posted the largest gains.
"Those sectors that reopened early on are doing the best," said employment attorney and former EDD director Michael Bernick.
Support for LAist comes from
However, government employment in California declined dramatically as state and local budgets were squeezed by declining revenues related to business closures. The state's public sector lost 95,800 jobs over the month.
In Los Angeles County, unemployment increased slightly from 20.8% in April to 20.9% in May. The L.A. area has been slower to reopen than other parts of the state, and its economy relies heavily on industries that have been hit hard, such as hotels and entertainment.
Paul Ong, director of the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, said many immigrants and workers of color are not receiving unemployment benefits. As they start to run out of money, Ong said the ripple effects will be felt throughout the local economy.
"We will face problems with property owners not being able to keep up with a mortgage," Ong said. "We certainly will face problems of renters being evicted, we will probably face problems in terms of homelessness."
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist