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Do you remember Idaho’s unemployment rate just as the recession was being noticed? It was three percent.

The National Bureau of Economic Research said the great recession started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009.

Since those declarations, Idaho’s unemployment rate climbed to its peak of 8.8 percent in August 2010. By August 2011 it had dropped to 8.4 percent, and by August 2012 it was down to 7 percent.

Latest Posts

November 16, 2011

Calculating Idaho Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Laid-off workers in Idaho can collect up to 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits.   Here are some of the requirements needed in order to qualify for receiving benefit payments: You must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own (if you’re fired or quit, you can’t qualify for benefits). Be a […]

November 15, 2011

How Idaho Unemployment Insurance Benefits Are Paid For

Last week, the head of Idaho’s Labor Department encouraged state and federal lawmakers to vote against any further extensions of federal unemployment insurance benefits.  Director Roger Madsen said he considers unemployment insurance to be one of this country’s most successful social programs, but believes extensions hold back business growth.  You can read Madsen’s letter here. We […]

Rural Communities and the Funding Crunch

StateImpact’s recent story about Fairfield, in Camas County, described the about-face the town has suffered due to the recession. What it didn’t talk about is the town’s water system.  In short, it’s not great.  Right now, a water pressure problem allows bacteria to build up, clogging meters, pipes and distribution lines.  That can have some unhappy […]

November 14, 2011

Looking at Numbers, Finding a Story

When I went to Camas County to report our recent story about Fairfield, I was thinking about numbers.  The county is rural and small.  That means it has a low population — about 1,100 people — which makes its unemployment rate a moving target.  In August, unemployment in Camas County stood at 16.7 percent.  Only […]

November 11, 2011

Governor Otter Backs Labor Director on Opposing Extended Unemployment Benefits

Earlier this week Idaho’s Department of Labor Director Roger Madsen asked state lawmakers and Idaho’s congressional delegation to oppose any further extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits. Now, Republican Governor Butch Otter is weighing in (through his spokesman), after the Idaho Democratic Party said Madsen should resign.  Here’s what The Idaho Statesman is reporting: “The […]

Essential StateImpact: 5 Most Viewed Stories of the Week

These are the stories that got the most views, comments and shares this week.  In case you missed one, we put them all in the same place for your reading pleasure! As always, we want to hear from you — comment on the stories and share them with your friends. Labor Director Opposes Extending Unemployment […]

In Rural Idaho, The Recession Changes One Town’s Fate

Unemployment numbers have soared to their highest levels in rural parts of Idaho, among them Camas County. This summer, local unemployment approached 17 percent. That’s a number that has left Fairfield, population 416 and the only town in Camas County, struggling for survival.

November 10, 2011

Madsen Responds to Dem’s Resignation Call

Department of Labor Director Roger Madsen has been feeling some heat since Tuesday, when he voiced his opposition to the further extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits.  On Wednesday, Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Larry Grant called for Madsen’s resignation in a statement guaranteed to raise hackles.  Grant’s statement read, in part, “Madsen is advocating for […]

November 9, 2011

Simplot Will Cut Hundreds of Jobs by Opening New Plant

J.R. Simplot Company announced today that it will replace three of its existing potato processing plants with a new facility in Caldwell, resulting in a loss of at least 550 jobs.  The plants slated for closure are in Caldwell, Nampa and Aberdeen.  The company said it expects the new Caldwell facility to be up and […]

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