Local unemployment rates improve slightly

The unemployment picture in Burbank, Glendale and around the state brightened slightly in March, with the jobless rate falling a tenth of a percentage point, compared to the month prior.

Unemployment in Glendale fell from 10.7% in February to 10.6% in March, according to the state Employment Development Department. In Burbank, the rate dropped from 10% in February to 9.9% in March.

The rate fell by the same amount statewide to an even 12%, while in Los Angeles County, unemployment dropped from 12.6% in February to 12.3% in March.

Statewide, work in the leisure and hospitality industries picked up more than 4,000 jobs, while professional and business services declined by about 7,300 jobs.

The movie industry slipped by 1.2% and now employs 134,500 people, according to the state. In the last year, the industry has grown by 12.1%. Retail trade and health care, both key industries in Glendale and Burbank, stayed relatively flat from February to March, according to the state.

In La Cañada Flintridge, the unemployment rate dipped from 4.8% in February to 4.7% in March.

In La Crescenta, the figure fell from 6.1% to 6%.