PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Word that California's unemployment rate dipped below 11 percent for the first time in three years provided just a small sliver of hope — but a sliver nonetheless — for people who in some cases have been making weekly trips to the unemployment office for years.

The jobless rate of 10.9 percent is down three-tenths of a percentage point from December's adjusted rate of 11.2 percent, the lowest since April 2009, the state Employment Development Department said Friday.

"Down 10.9 percent from 11.2 percent, huh?" Chris Walker asked with a laugh as he looked up from a computer screen where he'd been scanning job listings at a bustling Employment Development Department office in Pasadena. "Well, I guess it's a good sign that it is going down. Even 10.9 percent is an indicator, I guess. And maybe a hopeful indicator."

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