Alabama's unemployment rate is down to six percent. The preliminary jobless rate represents the state's best unemployment numbers in more than six years. But the state is still slightly above the U.S. unemployment rate of 5.8 percent. Shelby County has the state's lowest unemployment at 3.8 percent, and Wilcox County has the worst joblessness at 12.2 percent.
Bentley's Inauguration Activities
Gov. Robert Bentley's inaugural committee is planning a full day of activities for his inauguration Jan. 19th. The committee said the activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a prayer service at First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery. Bentley and the state's other constitutional officers will be sworn in starting at 9 a.m. on the Capitol steps. The swearing-in ceremony will be followed by the inaugural parade along downtown's main street, Dexter Avenue.
Flu Cases
Health officials say the flu is now hitting hard in parts of the country, especially the South and Midwest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported cases were widespread in 29 states. If the trend continues, it could bring another early peak to the flu season as happened in the last two winters. Experts worry this will be a bad season because the dominant strain, seen in roughly two-thirds of recent tests, is not covered in this year's vaccine.