By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-913436.mp3
LANSING, MI – The federal government will release the latest ranking of state unemployment rates this week. Last month, Michigan was nudged off the top of the list for the first time in four years.
Michigan's unemployment rate has been edging downward in recent months, while Nevada's has been rising. Michigan's rate of 13.6 percent is still nothing to brag about - 641,000 people are still looking for work -- but Governor Granholm says things are starting to point in a positive direction.
"We're seeing the right things, but, you know, none of this is subject
to a magic wand," Granholm says.
The governor says Michigan's recovery will be a slow climb as the state moves into new industries and modernizes its existing manufacturing base.
But there are also signs a recovery could stall. There's been an increase in new filings for unemployment benefits, and a national slowdown could be a drag on Michigan's economy.