Michigan unemployment rate hits 5% as layoffs and job market trends

Michigan's unemployment rate reached 5% in August, the third-highest in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Senior economist Brad Hershbein of the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research said the market is unpredictable, with job seekers trending down as the population ages.

Hershbein cited rising interest rates, federal policy changes, tariff surprises, and AI’s impact on business as factors shaping the unstable job market. He noted layoffs in Kalamazoo are part of a global restructuring, and that corporate cuts at Kroger are not expected to affect the planned grocery store on South Westnedge Avenue in Portage.

Job seekers can use Michigan Works and other online tools to connect with opportunities. Hershbein said the outlook for 2027 remains uncertain, but the current trends could continue to influence the economy and ordinary people's wallets.

Read the full story at WWMT.