BLS news release: “Unemployment rates were lower in July than a year earlier in 348 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 16 areas, and unchanged in 8 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifteen areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 68 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 327 metropolitan areas, decreased in 41 areas, and was unchanged in 4 areas. The national unemployment rate in July was 6.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.7 percent a year earlier.”

• See also America’s Disappearing Jobs: 24/7 Wall St., includes a list of jobs and categories as well as descriptions of the jobs that have seen a severe decline. Number one on this list, taken from data in the above mentioned BLS release, are logging workers that cut down trees, with an anticipated decline in jobs of approximately 43%.