California Has the Highest Unemployment Rate in the Nation 

Newly released data from the state’s Employment Development Department revealed an uptick in California’s unemployment rate to 5.3 percent in February, the highest in the country. The figure represents a spike from 4.5 percent in February 2023 and is a full percentage point higher than the pre-pandemic rate of 4.3 percent in February 2019. About 1 million Californians are out of work, and approximately 460,000 unemployment insurance claims were filed last month, the data showed. Claims increased by about 27,000 since January and about 45,000 since February 2023. The news came as a disappointment to one state legislator who said leaders need to come together to craft solutions that benefit residents across the state....