Print edition: 
The unemployment rate in the Wichita area fell in February to 8.4 percent from 8.7 percent in January, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.
It was also below the rate of 8.9 percent in February 2010.
Some say that Wichita is — very slowly — beginning to turn a corner on employment.
"We're seeing a trend, and that trend is in the right direction," said Friends University economist Malcolm Harris.
But, he cautioned, "we've got a long way to go."
Unemployment peaked at 10.3 percent in July 2009 but has mostly been in the 8 percent range over the past 18 months.
There may be hints of a pick up in work. Wichita employment has ranged between 286,000 and 287,000 since August, with a slight bump in December for Christmas hiring. In February, employment rose above 288,000.
That corresponds to what Phillip Hayes, vice president of staffing agency the Arnold Group, has seen in the past year.
Hours worked by his temporary workers were 85 percent higher in February than in February 2010. Demand started to increase in April and continues to do so.
"We've done nothing but grow since last year," he said.
The conversion of those temporary workers to full time, though, is just beginning, he said. Employers are reluctant to convert temps to regular employees in case demand drops, he said.
He said he is seeing the strongest demand for manufacturing workers.
Other employment rates in the state are:
Kansas: 7.2 percent, down from 7.4 percent in January and 7.5 percent a year ago.
Topeka: 7.8 percent, same as January and up from 7.5 percent a year ago.
Kansas counties of Kansas City: 7.6 percent, down from 8.0 percent in January and 8.1 percent a year ago.
Lawrence: 6.5 percent, down from 6.7 percent in January and up from 6.2 percent a year ago.
Manhattan: 5.9 percent, same as in January and up from 5.8 percent a year ago.
