8-8 NWR Economy Improving

Good news coming from the employment sector. NPR reports that the Labor Department says 255,000 jobs were added to the economy in July and the unemployment rate was steady at 4.9%. That exceeded expectations for job growth. The continued steady growth was mostly in the services sector. Professional and business services expanded the most as did healthcare employment and leisure and hospitality. Mining employment continued to decline reflecting the contracting energy sector. A tighter labor market had other effects. The number of people working or looking for work increased. More people looking for jobs is a sign of optimism in the market. As the pool of available workers decreases, employers are having to pay higher wages. That was reflected in last month's report. Average hourly wages increased 3/10 of a percent.

According to my northwest.com, a wildfire just north of Moses Lake that destroyed two primary residences and six outbuildings has been fully contained.

Fire spokesman Trooper Jeff Sevigney said Thursday that firefighters finished work Thursday and were being demobilized.

The fire was estimated at more than 5 square miles. Its cause is under investigation and no injuries were reported.