California jobless rate dips below 12 percent

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California's unemployment rate has dropped below 12 percent for the first time since August 2009 — another positive sign for the nation's economy.

The state jobless rate for April was 11.9 percent, the state Employment Development Department announced Friday. That's the fourth month in a row the jobless rate has declined for the most populous state.

California also showed an increase of about 8,900 payroll jobs for the month. Six industry categories added jobs, with the biggest bump in leisure and hospitality, which added 12,400. Five saw declines, with the largest drop of 11,200 jobs in government.

Nationwide, unemployment rates fell in April in 39 states.

California said about 584,000 people were receiving regular unemployment benefits during the week in April when it conducted its survey. That's down from about 631,000 in March and 729,000 in April 2010.