Neb. Labor Commissioner Cathy Lang

Labor Commissioner Cathy Lang says even though the state's unemployment rate rose 1.7 percent over the past year to 5 percent in June, Nebraska still has the second-lowest jobless rate in the nation. But she says that's probably not much comfort to citizens who have been laid-off from their jobs. Lang says the state is ready to help those who are unemployed through career centers at 17 locations across the state. Lang says those who are unemployed will want to seek unemployment benefits, if eligible. The national unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent for June. The state Department of Labor on Friday said Nebraska's June rate is two-tenths of a point higher than the revised May figure of 4.8 percent. The state's earlier estimate for May was 4.4 percent, which tied the state with North Dakota for the lowest rate in the country. Based on historical trends, Lang expects another increase in the state's unemployment rate in July, followed by a decrease into the fall. She says the test of whether the state is going to come out of the current economic downturn in good shape, will come in November and December of this year and January of 2010.

On the Net: Nebraska Department of Labor: http://www.dol.state.ne.us/