CA Unemployment Rate Hits Record High

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The U.S. Department of Labor says California's unemployment rate climbed to 11.5 percent in May, the highest in modern record-keeping.

The loss of another 69,000 jobs comes as a blow to the state after unemployment dipped to 11.1 percent in April, according to revised figures.

And although the bureau says 48 states and the District of Columbia saw their unemployment rates rise in May, California's rate is still substantially higher than the national rate of 9.4 percent for the month. Only four states had higher rates.

The rate is also up from 6.8 percent in May 2008.