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Unemployment Drops Below 7 Percent For First Time In 5 Years

Indiana's unemployment rate is at its lowest level in more than five years, dropping below 7 percent in December.

Despite the unemployment rate dropping to 6.9 percent last month, Indiana's private sector lost 4,800 jobs.

Still, the Department of Workforce Development says it expected the decrease after a record-setting November that saw 25,000 jobs created.

2013 ended with more than 42,000 jobs added by the private sector and the unemployment rate nearly 1.5 percent lower than the end of 2012.

In a statement, Workforce Development Commissioner Scott Sanders says fewer Hoosiers are unemployed than any time in the last five years and Indiana's job growth the last three months is the highest in the Midwest.