The chairman of the task force that’s tracking where federal stimulus money is going in South Carolina says it isn’t creating new jobs so far.

Unemployment in the Palmetto state continues to climb to record highs with a rate of 12.1% for May reported Friday by the Employment Security Commission. That’s a seven-tenths of a point climb from the April unemployment rate of 11.4%.

The City of Union has partnered with Carolina Community Action’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help citizens stay cool this summer.  Duke is also offering assistance to it’s customers.

The state says Georgia’s unemployment rate for May has hit the highest level in history - 9.7 percent.

BMW is expanding it’s operations in the Upstate.  A new paint shop and assembly facility are part of the 750 million dollar project.

The state’s annual Teacher Expo had more out-of-work teachers vying for fewer job openings.

South Carolina’s high unemployment rate has meant more traffic at Army recruiting offices.

Those laid-off from their jobs are getting a little extra help from the Employment Security Commission.

SC Unemployment Rate 11.5%.  NC stays at 10.8%.

Employment Support Ministries are taking off at local churches, helping people find jobs.

The Palmetto state unemployment rate is now the second highest in the nation. North Carolina also saw the number of jobless workers climb to 9.7% in numbers released Wednesday.

President Barack Obama has unveiled a $3.55 trillion budget - with tax increases for wealthy, tax cuts for middle class-  on a day when jobless numbers rise higher than expected and new home sales take a double-digit plunge.

Gov. Mark Sanford’s spokesman Joel Sawyer says the governor Friday will approve $5 million of federal loans to cover unemployment checks through the end of February.

627K new jobless claims; continuing claims near 5M

The Democratic leader says lawmakers have made progress on an economic recovery package. Job losses not seen since 1974 drive unemployment to 7.6%.