By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – The Texas unemployment rate for February has slipped to 8.2 percent. The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday announced the seasonally adjusted figure compares to a statewide metro jobless rate of 8.3 percent in January.
Nationally, unemployment stood at 8.9 percent last month.
Commission Chairman Tom Pauken says hiring in the professional and business services industry rose in February, with companies adding about 14,500 jobs.
Texas total nonfarm employment was up by 22,700 jobs last month, for a total gain of 254,200 jobs from a year ago.
The Midland area had the state's lowest unemployment rate, at 4.8 percent. The highest unemployment for Texas was in Edinburg-McAllen-Mission, at 12.2 percent.
Saudi man accused in bomb plot to be arraigned
A Texas college student from Saudi Arabia who is accused of buying chemicals and equipment to build a weapon of mass destruction is set to be arraigned.
The arraignment for Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari is scheduled for Monday morning at the federal courthouse in Lubbock. He faces up to life in prison if he's convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
Court documents allege he had hatched plans to attack various U.S. targets, including New York City and former President George W. Bush's Dallas home.
Aldawsari was arrested Feb. 23. Court records indicate that federal agents traced his online purchases, discovered extremist online posts he made and secretly searched his apartment, computer and e-mail accounts and read his diary.
Suspect shot by Dallas police at bail bonds site
An armed fugitive has been shot during a struggle with Dallas police at a bail bonds company.
Police early Friday said the suspect had been transported to a hospital in undetermined condition. His name and details on the felony warrant were not immediately released.
Officers on Thursday night responded to a call from a bail bonds company near the Lew Sterrett Justice Center about a wanted man being inside the business. Officers struggled with the suspect while trying to arrest him.
Investigators say the man pulled a gun. Two officers shot the man before he could open fire.
Police are reviewing the incident.