| The official government statistics says West Virginia's emplopment picture is looking good, while at the same time declaring food prices have risen 4.5 percent.
Job gains in construction and other sectors cut West Virginia's unemployment rate by one-tenth of a percentage point in April to 5.2 percent.
Workforce West Virginia says 42,200 West Virginians were unemployment in April, a decline of 600 from the same period in 2007.
Construction added 2,600 jobs and accounted for most of the gain in the goods-producing sector. Natural resources and mining added 200 jobs, while manufacturing lost 100 jobs.
In the service-providing sector, leisure and hospitality gained 1,700 jobs. Business and professional services added 800 jobs.
Despite the gains, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point to 5 percent.
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