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All but six states lost jobs in April, and double-digit unemployment persisted in every corner of the country as companies squeezed by the recession slashed payrolls.

For the fifth straight month, California led the nation in net job losses, with 63,700. Among the handful of winners were Arkansas, Montana and Florida — a state battered by the housing collapse and badly in need of good news.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said he expects the economy to begin growing again later this year, but the recovery is expected to be slow. The Fed projects unemployment will stay high well into 2011.

Layoffs in manufacturing, construction and retail are a common theme in states with high unemployment. States like South Carolina, Michigan and Rhode Island have had trouble luring new types of companies to cushion the loss of manufacturing jobs and training laid-off factory workers for other kinds of employment.
Despite the tens of thousands of lost jobs, California’s jobless rate actually fell, to 11 percent from 11 no fax payday advance.2 percent in March. It was still the fifth-highest.

The nationwide unemployment rate stands at 8.9 percent, the highest in a quarter-century.

There are some bright spots: Arkansas and Montana tied for the biggest gains in April, adding 1,500 jobs apiece. Florida eked out an increase of 1,300 jobs.

North Dakota again registered the lowest unemployment rate: 4 percent. It was followed by Nebraska’s 4.4 percent, Wyoming’s 4.5 percent and South Dakota’s 4.8 percent. Economist Ken Mayland said he thinks those states are benefiting from growth in agriculture-related businesses.

Nearly 6.7 million people nationwide are drawing state unemployment insurance, the highest on records dating to 1967. The crush has exhausted unemployment funds in California, New York and elsewhere, forcing them to turn to the federal government.

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