Politics
State unemployment rate drops for the first time in three years
The last drop came in March 2007, with a record low of 4.4 percent. The current 9.2 percent is still high, but trending the right way.
Stephen H. Dunphy
Stephen H. Dunphy writes on business and economic issues for Crosscut. He was a business editor and columnist for a number of years at The Seattle Times.
Latest work
Politics
Local economy is still looking for any sustained growth
The latest jobs report offers mixed news, with the unemployment rate inching up to 9.3 percent amid a few signs of an upward tick.
Culture
Our low-snow winter means local economic problems
For farmers, dam operators, and others worried about low snowpack, the next couple of months are key.
Equity
A 'dismal decade,' with more to come
The state's unemployment rate is still rising and jobs are still disappearing, though not as fast as in the past year. Here's a survey of Washington state's economy, which has shed 166,500 jobs since the peak in 2008.
Politics
Finding WTO significance beyond the protests
While it's been lost in the anniversary hoopla, some real news was made at the WTO meeting 10 years ago, including the raising of the organization's impromptu new "flag." A reporter who was on the scene looks back.