National geographic (May); plus, Bismarck is calling you

Although the rate of increase in new claims may be slowing, the unemployment rate has not started its grand decline just yet. In May, only two states (Nebraska and Vermont) failed to show an unemployment rate bump, and only the former showed a decrease (of just 0.1%). Nebraska and North Dakota residents alike seem to live in recession-free zone: Each lays claim to a 4.4% jobless rate. (If you recall, in April, the rate increased in either 44 states or 29 states, depending on who you asked.)

On a related note, CNNMoney.com last week touted North Dakota as perhaps the best state for job hunters. And smartly, the state is taking advantage of that fact by doing a pretty good job of promoting itself. It launched marketing schemes in Colorado, Michigan and Minnesota, and N.D.'s employment-related web site (www.jobsnd.com) lists thousands of positions. The state is faring well for several reasons. CNNMoney reports that the state experienced the "nation's fastest economic growth in 2008," and it's one of the few states that isn't operating at a massive deficit. (Yes, California, we're looking at you.) In addition, its proverbial eggs aren't all from one basket -- many of North Dakota's key industries (oil, mining, agriculture, health care and transportation) are running strong.

--Posted by Todd Obolsky, Vault Staff Writer