Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington's unemployment rate rose by a half a percentage point last month while Oregon's jobless rate is holding steady.  Both states released their December numbers Wednesday.  

Oregon's jobless rate hovered at 11 percent for the fourth straight month. 

In Washington State, the unemployment rate is up to 9.5 percent from a flat 9 percent the month before.

In a conference call with reporters, Washington labor economist Dave Wallace looked for a silver lining.

Dave Wallace: "We are still losing jobs, but the trend is losing jobs at a slower pace."

Oregon has better news.  Its December jobs report shows substantial employment gains for the first time since the summer of 2008.