California Unemployment Holds at 5.5% in December as Job Losses Mark First Annual Decline Since 2021

Employers shed 1,700 positions while healthcare and government hiring offsets construction weakness As California heads into 2026, the state’s labor market is showing signs of stabilization rather than acceleration, with modest monthly shifts masking a more notable change beneath the surface. New figures released by the Employment Development Department (EDD) indicate that December closed with […]