Isles among states where jobless rates fall

WASHINGTON » More than two-thirds of the states reported job gains in March, as hiring improves for much of the country during what has been a sluggish but sustained 41⁄2-year recovery.

The Labor Department says unemployment rates dropped in 21 states, including Hawaii, rose in 17 and was unchanged in the remaining 12. Meanwhile, hiring increased in 34 states and fell in 16.

The unemployment rate varies from as low as 2.6 percent in North Dakota to as much as 8.7 percent in Rhode Island. South Caro­lina has experienced the sharpest decline over 12 months to 5.5 percent from 8 percent.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, the lowest in more than five years.

The rate nationwide stayed at 6.7 percent in March for the second straight month.

Employers added 192,000 jobs nationwide in March, close to the average monthly gains of the past two years.

Newspaper industry revenue down 2.6%

NEW YORK » U.S. newspaper industry revenue fell last year as increases in circulation revenue were not high enough to make up for shrinking demand for print advertising, an industry trade group said Friday.

The Newspaper Association of America said revenue fell 2.6 percent to $37.6 billion in 2013.

Circulation revenue rose 3.7 percent to $10.9 billion, the second straight year of growth.

Advertising revenue fell 6.5 percent to $23.6 billion.

In recent years newspapers have looked to increase revenue from online sources as more readers turn to the Internet and mobile devices for news. Digital advertising revenue increased 1.5 percent to $3.42 billion, but that wasn’t enough to offset an 8.6 percent drop in print advertising revenue to $17.3 billion.

The industry also got a boost from a 2.4 percent increase in direct marketing advertising revenue to $1.4 billion, while advertising revenue related to niche and nondaily publications fell 5.8 percent to $1.45 billion.

Revenue from businesses other than advertising and circulation rose 5 percent to $3.15 billion.

Airline’s bid to cut retiree benefits is denied

DALLAS » A federal judge has rejected an attempt by American Airlines to quickly cut off benefits for many of its retirees.

American wants retirees who wish to keep their benefits to pay all the cost. Now the dispute could go to negotiations or a trial.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Sean Lane in New York rejected Friday a request made by American’s former parent, AMR Corp., for the right to immediately eliminate retiree benefits for former pilots, flight attendants and other union workers. Lane granted AMR’s request for a group of nonunion workers.

The company had 46,930 retirees when it filed for bankruptcy protection in 2011.

American was left to ponder its next move.

"American will review his ruling and consider next steps related to the retiree health and life insurance benefits," American spokes­man Casey Norton said.

Catherine Steege, a lawyer for the committee representing the retirees, said the ruling should cause American to stop trying to terminate the benefits.

ON THE MOVE 

KHON2 has appointed Chris Pelle­tier as local sales manager. She was previously director of marketing and research and senior account executive with KITV4.

Hawaiian Host has hired Moises Salmeron as sales manager. He has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, sales and business development, including previously serving as regional sales manager for the southwest region of Western Baking Corp.

iQ 360, a strategic communications firm, has hired Nancy J. Usui as vice president. She was previously a senior technical writer and corporate communications administrator at Bank of Hawaii and served in public relations roles at the Queen’s Medical Center and Becker Communications.

The Alana Dung Research Foundation is presenting a $250,000 check to Kapiolani Health Foundation on Tuesday at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. The money will go towards completing the first phase of a multi-year master plan to rebuild the medical center.

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