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Talk of the bay: Jobless rate holds steady in September

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 6, 2007

The national unemployment rate held steady in September at 4.7 percent, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's up just slightly from one year ago, when it was 4.6 percent. Health care, social assistance and food services all created jobs in September. Manufacturing, credit mediation, building material and garden supply stores, and construction lost jobs. Florida's September data won't be released for two weeks. In August, the state's unemployment rate was 4 percent - well below the national average, but the highest it has been since April 2005.

Gaming deal facing an Oct. 15 deadline
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida face a new non-deadline deadline to wrap up a deal over expanded gambling at the tribe's seven Florida casinos. Assistant Interior Department Secretary Carl Artman praised the two sides in a Sept. 24 letter for making progress toward an agreement. He also set an Oct. 15 date for his agency to give the Seminoles permission for new games, likely Las Vegas-style slots, if the state hasn't signed a deal. An August "deadline" passed after the state and tribe assured Interior officials that negotiations were on track. If talks keep moving ahead as expected, said tribe attorney Barry Richard, Interior won't likely hold to the latest deadline.

All about money
Times personal finance editor Helen Huntley talks about money topics and answers your finance questions at blogs.tampabay.com/money.

Gas watch 

The price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Tampa Bay area:

Friday: $2.773
Thursday: $2.776
Month ago: $2.661
Year ago: $2.223
Record: $3.095*

* Record set May 24

Source: AAA/Oil Price Information Service

[Last modified October 6, 2007, 00:24:55]