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Utah job growth outpaces rest of country
Utah's job growth continues to shine. Employment grew 2 percent in April, compared to a national increase of just 0.3 percent. Farm jobs are not included. Mark Knold, chief economist at the Utah Department of Workforce Services, says Utah's economy is performing well, despite a lull in housing construction. The state has added 24,800 jobs in the past year. Utah's unemployment rate is 3.1 percent, compared to 5 percent nationally. Kroger expands discount on generic drugs CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co. is expanding its discount on generic drugs, offering 90-day prescriptions for $10 and covering more women's health medications. Kroger says the discounts are available beginning today in all 1,900 of its in-store pharmacies. Last fall, Kroger and other retail chains began offering more than 300 generic drugs for $4 per prescription. Kroger operates stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Smith's, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Scott's, Ralphs, Dillons, QFC and City Market. American Coal lays off 187 workers GALATIA, Ill. -- The owner of a southern Illinois coal mine says it's laying off 187 workers because of what the company calls "sudden, unforeseeable circumstances and physical calamities." Affected workers at the New Future Mine in Galatia were told of the layoffs Friday. Rob Murray is vice president of American Coal's parent company Murray Energy. He says the "physical calamities" are "operational in nature from a mining, engineering and geological standpoint." He says they're beyond the company's control. The layoffs came one day after a Congressional committee's chairman asked federal prosecutors to investigate last year's deadly collapse at the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah. Murray Energy co-owns the Crandall Canyon mine, which is closed. |
