Are better times ahead?

The Norman Transcript: Two key indicators of economic growth turned positive recently. Unemployment rates fell in 36 states, not including Oklahoma, and retail sales were up at a healthy pace, too.

Those two barometers point to a growing economy, something badly needed as the nation moves into year-end and holiday shopping mode. The last two months of the year are make it or break it time for retailers.

The government said the unemployment rate fell in 36 states, increased in 5 and remained unchanged in 9 states. That’s the best showing since April. Oklahoma’s unemployment rate of 6.1 percent is up slightly since September but is still well below last year’s rate of 6.9 percent.

State officials say more people might be looking for work now that jobs are more plentiful. To be classified as unemployed, a worker must actively be seeking a job.

Downward trend

The national rate of 9.1 percent inched downward to 9 percent. Employers added 80,000 net jobs in October. They need to add 125,000 a month to keep pace with population growth.

To significantly reduce the nation’s unemployment rate about twice that many jobs need to be created in November alone.