Scratching records.

• Position: Statewide - Brief article - Statistical data

It's never a good sign when the statewide unemployment rate reaches a record high, as it did when it hit 11.1 % in January. But this time, there's reason for optimism because employment rose, too--just not enough to keep pace with the number of people who had dropped out of the labor force and started looking for work again, says Mike Walden, economics professor at N.C. State University. Until hiring picks up, unemployment will remain high throughout the state. Graham County's 19.3% rate topped its peers in January, while Orange had the lowest, 6.9%. Recession has...