Unemployment

GDP shrank for a 2nd quarter in a row. While two consecutive quarters of negative growth is often considered a recession, it's not an official definition. Parts of the economy are clearly struggling.

It's been two years since the first reported case of COVID-19 in North Texas. Best friends Tamra Nicole and Lauren Bridges have weathered job uncertainty together as their industries changed during the pandemic.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports the number of unemployed workers in the state dropped from 5.2% in November 2021 to 5% in December.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports statewide employment reached a new high in November, while the unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 5.2%.

The Texas Workforce Commission reports the state’s share of unemployed workers shrank to 5.4% in October, down from 5.6% in September.

Musician Justin Sherburn wrote an album inspired by his wait for unemployment benefits. Now, others in the same situation will hear it as they wait.

Texas ranked 50th out of 53 states and districts in its funding for unemployment, and it has collected about a third of what the federal government says it needs to.

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.

The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance.

The runaway pandemic put more pressure on the U.S. job market last month. Employers shed 140,000 jobs as the unemployment rate held steady at 6.7%.

Jobless claims rose sharply last week as critical relief programs, including expanded jobless benefits, are due to expire the day after Christmas.

The state’s unemployment system is confusing and frustrating. Getting familiar with the Texas Workforce Commission’s jargon may help you access assistance.