Idaho Unemployment Down

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials report Idaho's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in three years in July, falling to 7.5 percent. The Department of Labor released the new numbers Friday, saying Idaho was one of only two states to post a declining jobless rate last month. The agency says Idaho's unemployment numbers are continuing a dramatic fall in the wake of the recession, when the rate hit a high of 8.9 percent. Rhode Island was the other state to post an unemployment rate decrease last month. In Idaho, officials say lower unemployment and a sharp decline in the statewide labor force helped bring down the jobless rate, which was at 7.7 percent in June. The labor force includes both workers who have jobs and those who are looking for employment.