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Maryland unemployment rate falls

By Jeff Clabaugh

WASHINGTON — Maryland’s unemployment rate is still higher than the national average, but it fell from 4.2 percent in September to 4.1 percent in October.

Virginia’s unemployment rate, one of the lowest in the nation, was unchanged in October at 2.9 percent. A year ago, Virginia’s unemployment rate was 3.6 percent.

The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics says Maryland has added a net 38,500 jobs in the last 12 months, an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent. Maryland’s non-farm payroll employment stands at 2.72 million.

Virginia has added 71,400 jobs in the past year, an annual job growth rate of 1.8 percent. Virginia’s non-farm payroll employment at the end of October was 3.96.

Alaska had the highest state unemployment rate in October, at 6.4 percent. Hawaii had the lowest, at 2.3 percent.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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