All you need to know about Minnesota's recent economic numbers!!

Only the Star Tribune can find gloom and doom in unemployment claims going down.

In a creative economic hit piece the reporter belittles analysis from Toby Madden (Minnesota Federal Reserve) who finds nothing alarming. In fact, The Federal Reserve analyst finds bright spots in Minnesota's economy.

Jobless claims show weakness in state economy

By MIKE MEYERS, Star Tribune
Last update: April 13, 2008 - 4:17 PM

Toby Madden, regional economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, sees nothing alarming in the unemployment insurance figures, however.

Changes in initial jobless claims are exactly where you'd expect to see them, he said. They're on the rise in retail trade and categories such as arts, entertainment and recreation and in information -- all arenas of discretionary spending.

He said the numbers, compared with past recessions, don't seem disturbing.

"Even if the unemployment rate stayed the same, initial claims should increase with population," Madden said. "But it's been down to flat over time."