Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho’s December Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.6 Percent

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News Release

For Immediate Release: Jan. 18, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent in December – the 16th consecutive month the rate has been at or below 3 percent.

The state’s labor force – the total number of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – increased slightly by two tenths of a percent from November, up 2,013 people to 856,337.

The number of people working increased by 1,823 for a total of 833,756, while the number of unemployed dropped by 190 to 22,581. Continue reading →

Idaho Labor Groups Celebrate Idaho Human Rights / Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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News Release

For Immediate Release: Jan. 17, 2019
Information Contact: Carmen Barney, Idaho Human Rights Commission, (208) 334-2873 ext. 3682; Renee Bade, Serve Idaho, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Serve Idaho and the Idaho Human Rights Commission are participating in the Idaho Human Rights/Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Idaho State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21.

Activities are centered in the Capitol rotunda, 2nd floor, beginning at noon Monday with a performance by Boise State University trumpeters.

Gov. Brad Little will read the Idaho Human Rights Day proclamation followed by a keynote speaker and inspiring messages from a diverse array of Idaho citizens. Labor Director Jani Revier will provide closing remarks. The event includes a performance by Mariachi De Mi Tierra, a mariachi composed of local area youth.

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Idaho Volunteers Recognized at Brightest Stars Awards Ceremony

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News Release

For Immediate Release: Jan. 17, 2019
Information Contact: Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Sixty-nine outstanding volunteers from throughout the state were honored at Idaho’s Brightest Stars Ceremony Wednesday in Boise. The annual event is organized by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

“Volunteerism is a gift that benefits citizens and addresses needs in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Brad Little. “These men and women are not seeking recognition, but it is important to acknowledge these Brightest Star recipients and their generous commitment to giving to others and ensuring a bright future for all citizens.”

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Serve Idaho Commission Announces New Leadership

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News Release

For Immediate Release: Jan. 8, 2019
Information Contact: Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Colleen Schowalter

Colleen Schowalter

Colleen Schowalter of Boise and Kimber Russell of Meridian, were elected to serve as the 2019 chair and vice chair of Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

Chair Colleen Schowalter is the volunteer services coordinator and studio manager for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. She previously served for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) and VISTA leader with the Idaho National Guard Family Programs and the Idaho Foodbank. She serves as the public affairs officer for the Boise Veterans Parade committee.

Kimber Russell

Vice Chair Kimber Russell is a business coach and the director of content development for Gritt Business Coaching. She also owns a small business that supports Treasure Valley small businesses. She previously worked as the merchandising and marketing manager for Stinker Stores and is finishing her doctorate of Business Administration from Walden University this year. She is active in supporting the Super Sam Foundation and the Idaho Foodbank.

“Both Ms. Schowalter and Ms. Russell bring an enthusiasm for service that is second to none,” said Program Manager Renee Bade. “We are extremely fortunate to have both of them serve as leaders of the commission this year.”

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Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state. The Serve Idaho Commission is funded in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Idaho Department of Labor.

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Idaho Volunteers to be Recognized at Brightest Stars Ceremony

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2018
Information Contact:Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Volunteers across Idaho will be honored at the Idaho Brightest Stars award ceremony Jan. 16, 2019, in the Simplot Ballroom at Boise State University’s Student Union Building, 1700 University Drive, in Boise.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, will hand out awards in seven categories to honor Idahoans who volunteered in 2018. The ceremony, open to the public, begins at 6 p.m.

Idahoans throughout the state submitted nominations and a panel of community reviewers made the final selection. The award categories for outstanding volunteer service are individual, business, student, senior citizen, teacher/professor, nonprofit/civic organization and veteran.

This event is one way Serve Idaho recognizes the considerable time and effort Idahoans contribute to making their communities better.

Award winners from last year’s Idaho’s Brightest Stars can be found at ServeIdaho.gov.

For more information on the event or to find volunteer opportunities near you, visit ServeIdaho.gov.

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Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state. The Serve Idaho Commission is funded in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Idaho Department of Labor.

Idaho’s November Unemployment Rate Down Slightly to 2.6 Percent

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For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2018

Information Contacts: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6 percent in November, down slightly from October and continuing at or below 3 percent for the 15th consecutive month.

The state’s labor force – the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work – was 854,243, increasing by 0.1 percent and essentially unchanged since July.

Total employment increased by 1,198 to 831,851, while the number of unemployed people decreased by 433 to 22,392.

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Idaho’s Standard Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Drops 6.6% for 2019

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 17, 2018

Information Contacts: Georgia Smith (208) 332-3570 x 2102 or Salvador Vazquez, (208) 332‐3570 ext. 3218

Idaho’s growing economy, a consistent decrease in layoffs and a solvent Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund are all contributing to a 6.6 percent decrease in unemployment insurance tax rates for 2019.

The state’s base unemployment insurance tax rate – used to calculate taxes existing Idaho employers pay will drop from 0.94 percent in 2018 to 0.878 for 2019. A new employer in Idaho will start with a tax rate of 1.0 percent – the lowest rate allowed by federal conformity requirements.

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Idaho’s October Unemployment Rate Holds at 2.7 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 16, 2018
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at 2.7 percent in October, unchanged from September and continuing at or below 3 percent for the 14th consecutive month.

The state’s labor force – the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work – was essentially unchanged since July at 853,444.

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Idaho Apprenticeships Increase 67 percent from 2016-18

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 2, 2018
Information Contact: John Russ, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3303 or Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

Idaho Celebrates Apprenticeship Week Nov. 12-18

Idaho apprenticeship programs and apprentices are on the rise across Idaho and the nation. As the number of Idaho businesses sponsoring apprenticeships more than doubled from 2016 to 2018, the number of registered apprentices increased 67 percent.

Idaho Department of Labor Director Melinda Smyser attributes the increase to more Idaho training centers, technical schools, community colleges and institutions delivering industry-specific instruction, technical education and other certified training through Registered Apprenticeships in a variety of ways.

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Idaho’s September Unemployment Rate Decreases to 2.7 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 19, 2018
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined slightly to 2.7 percent in September, continuing at or below 3 percent for the 13th consecutive month.

The state’s labor force – the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work – was 853,076 people, essentially unchanged since July.

Total employment increased by 885 to 829,793 while the number of unemployed people decreased by 729 to 23,283.

Continue reading →