Unemployment rate drops

OLYMPIA — Unemployment in Washington dropped to 6 percent for January, from 7.1 percent in December, according to a state report last week.

In addition, 4,400 jobs were added in January, as reported by the Employment Security Department. Jobs in the private sector went down by 2,800 jobs and those in government by 1,600 jobs.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped from 6.7 percent in December to 6.3 percent for January.