By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-896251.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Michigan's unemployment rate went unchanged from February to March as it remained at 14.1%.
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Michigan's jobless rate is still well above the national average of 9.7%. But the state Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth says job losses have stabilized in recent months, especially in manufacturing, construction and retail.
In fact, the numbers say there are 2,000 fewer unemployed people looking for work, even though that wasn't enough to nudge the jobless number down. The state says there are 682,000 unemployed jobseekers in Michigan.
The news is a little worse when people who've stopped looking and part-timers seeking full-time employment are counted. That number has edged up slightly to 21.7%.