California’s Unemployment Rate Dips Below 12 Percent

California’s unemployment rate has dropped below 12 percent for the first time since August 2009 – another positive sign for the nation’s economy.

The numbers for April released Friday by the state Employment Development Department show the jobless rate at 11.9 percent. That’s the fourth month in a row the jobless rate has declined for the most populated state.

California also showed an increase of about 8,900 payroll jobs for the month.

Nationwide, unemployment rates fell in April in 39 states.