KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Wash. unemployment rate up slightly to 9.3 percent

Wash. unemployment rate up slightly to 9.3 percent

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington's unemployment rate increased slightly to 9.3 percent in October from the revised September rate of 9.1 percent.

State officials say more than 310,000 people were unemployed and looking for work last month.

The original estimated unemployment rate for September had earlier been reported as 9.3 percent, but was later lowered after further analysis.

Washington's unemployment rate remains lower than the national figure, which was 10.2 percent in October.

Fed Officials warn that jobless rate will stay high

Don't look for any easing of unemployment over the next several years.

That assessment comes from Federal Reserve officials, who warn that the jobless rate will probably remain high because the economic recovery won't be strong enough to spur a lot of hiring.

The comments from the presidents of regional Fed banks in San Francisco and Atlanta are the first public words from Fed officials since the government reported last week that the jobless rate is now 10.2 percent.

The Fed officials warn that rising unemployment could put a crimp on consumer activity, and restrain the recovery.