The number of Nevadans filing initial claims for jobless benefits fell in September to the lowest level in five years. The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation says the 13,932 claims filed last month are the least since 2007.
September’s filings compare with 16,693 claims filed in the same month last year, with claims peaking in December 2008 at 34,414.
Nevada has had the nation’s highest jobless rate since May 2010.
Vice President Joe Biden is continuing his visit to Nevada with an appearance at a Democratic campaign rally at a union work training center in North Las Vegas. Campaign officials say about 600 people gathered for Biden’s appearance at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas.
Senator Harry Reid introduced Biden before the speech which focused on the choice between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. The appearance is Biden’s third in Las Vegas in four months.
At the same time, the founder of Jimmy John’s sandwich shops hosted an event supporting Mitt Romney in Las Vegas. Romney has mentioned Jimmy John Liautaud on the campaign trail as an example of a successful entrepreneur.
The Champaign, Ill.-based Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, founded in 1983, now has more than 1,200 locations. Food-industry consulting firm Technomic has listed the company as one of the fastest growing food chains in the country for the past several years.
Nevada is drawing yet another visit from a top Democratic campaign star.
Campaign officials say First Lady Michelle Obama will make an October 26th visit to Las Vegas. Last week Former President Bill Clinton visited Las Vegas campaigning for President Obama.
The President has made nine campaign appearances between Reno and Las Vegas. The First Lady also spoke earlier this month at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Finally, the Nevada Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission against Republican congressional hopeful Danny Tarkanian. The complaint questions Tarkanian’s legal standing to forgive a $250,000 loan he made to his failed 2010 U.S. Senate campaign after a judge signed a $17 million judgment against him as well as a later $40,000 loan made to his U.S. House campaign.
Democrats allege the GOP nominee for Nevada’s 4th Congressional District lacked legal control over his personal funds after a federal judge in May signed the judgment against Tarkanian and other members of his family stemming from a failed real estate deal. Tarkanian is fighting that judgment.
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