(MONTGOMERY) The area's employment numbers continued to improve in May as Winston County's unemployment rate dropped to 16.1%, down from April's 17.3%. Statewide numbers also improved with the unemployment rate now at 10.8%. Nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased by 13,700 jobs statewide in May. The gains occurred primarily in construction, leisure and hospitality, other services, and government.

Area counties and their rates are Cullman, 9.4%; Fayette, 12.2%, Franklin, 10.7%; Lawrence, 11.8%; Marion, 14.3%; Morgan, 10.1% and Walker, 11.1%. All showed improvement.