(AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. California's unemployment rate fell below 11 percent in January for the first time in nearly three years, signaling a continued gradual improvement in the state's economy, officials said Friday.
The jobless rate of 10.9 percent is three-tenths of a percentage point drop from December's adjusted rate of 11.2 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department.
California's unemployment rate last fell below 11 percent in April 2009, when it also was 10.9 percent.
January was the fifth consecutive month in which the employment rate has dropped. It fell a full percentage point during that period.
``It looks like we're going in the right direction,'' department spokesman Kevin Callori said. ``It just looks like, overall, things are looking better.''