Wilmington, NC News

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s unemployment rate for May could be a new indicator of whether the worst of the state’s job losses has passed.

The state Employment Security Commission releases figures for May on Friday. The unemployment rate in April was 10.8 percent, the third straight month the rate hovered at about the same level.

North Carolina’s jobless rate of 10.8 percent in April and March was the highest since states started the current measuring method in 1976.

North Carolina was one of eight states with double-digit jobless rates in April.

The state’s jobless rate has soared from 7 percent in October.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GARNER — A community blood drive will be held in the North Carolina town where a Slim Jim processing plant exploded last week.

A local American Red Cross chapter is working with ConAgra Foods to host the blood drive Friday afternoon at the St. Mary Mother of the Church in Garner.

The ConAgra plant exploded June 9. Three employees were killed and dozens were injured. Four remain in critical condition.

Organizers said all blood types are needed.

Garner is located less than 10 miles south of Raleigh.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s General Assembly has approved legislation allowing deregulation of prices and service terms for landline telephone service providers.

The state House on Thursday accepted minor Senate changes and sent the bill to Gov. Beverly Perdue, who will decide whether to sign the measure into law.

The bill allows providers who face competition from cable, Internet or other rivals to free themselves of price and service oversight by the state Utilities Commission.

Consumers opting for basic, stand-alone residential service would see rate increases limited to inflation adjustments. Rural and urban customers must be charged comparable rates.

The Utilities Commission’s advocacy division would handle consumer complaints.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)