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Massachusetts
Mass. is finally back to its pre-pandemic job level
Business
Although the United States overall has been able to recover from COVID-19 related job loses, Massachusetts has been slow on the uptake.
Massachusetts is back to pre-pandemic numbers when it comes to the workforce.
About 19,000 jobs were added in June, according to the U.S. Labor Department. Now with an employment total of 3.75 million jobs, Massachusetts has finally surpassed the February 2020 number of total employment — by 9,000 jobs.
The state’s labor force participation rate, or the percentage of the adult population with a job or seeking one, is currently 65.7%. This is also the highest it’s been since February 2020.
Although the United States overall has been able to recover from COVID-19 related job loses, Massachusetts has been slow on the uptake.
Slow population growth and retirement affected the Massachusetts job market, according to The Boston Globe, which could possibly explain why it took 54 months to catch up to our pre-pandemic employment numbers.
However, a gain of 28,000 in the labor force, or the people with a job or currently looking for one, in Massachusetts made up for a slow January and February. The state’s unemployment rate is currently 3.2%, an increase of .2%.
The sector with the highest number of new jobs was the government, which added 8,300 jobs. Other highlights include the education and health services sector, adding 5,800, and the professional, scientific, and business services, adding 3,300.
Massachusetts
Inside the Massachusetts courtroom where former students face a teacher charged with rape
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The women said they were frightened, but they didn’t show it Wednesday in a Massachusetts courtroom as they watched the teacher who allegedly preyed on them when they were students at the posh Miss Hall’s School plead not guilty to rape.
There is a heavy police presence in a section of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon due to what authorities are describing only as an “ongoing incident.”
“There is currently a heavy police presence on Salem Road due to an ongoing incident,” Tewksbury police said in a social media post just before 1 p.m. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible. Please allow emergency personnel the space they need to respond safely and efficiently”
No further details were released. Police said they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Massachusetts
Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
CHELMSFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle on I-495 in Chelmsford Tuesday night, shutting down the soundbound lanes in that area, according to Massachusetts State Police and The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
State police said Troopers from the Concord Barracks responded to a two-car crash on I-495 at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. They said preliminary information indicates the crash happened as a result of a wrong-way driver striking a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.
Chelmsford Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital by MedFlight. State police said they suffered life-threatening injuries.
MassDOT said the highway southbound is currently closed at exit 88 due to the crash, and is expected to remain closed for several hours.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes at this time.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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