Alaska March job numbers lower amid ongoing pandemic toll

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The state labor department reports Alaska had 21,900 fewer jobs last month than in March 2020, amid the ongoing economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. The department says the March data provides the final comparison of a current month “to a comparatively healthy pre-pandemic month.” It notes in a report out Friday that “massive” job losses hit in April 2020. The leisure and hospitality sector saw the largest number of losses. Among other sectors, the department says oil and gas had 3,600 fewer jobs and professional and business services had 2,500 fewer jobs.