The Daily Freeman reports that, locally, the unemployment rate has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. In Columbia County the unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent in May, down from 4.5 percent a month earlier, and from 8.8 percent a year earlier, according to the Department of Labor. In Greene County, the unemployment rate was 5 percent in May, down from 6 percent in April, and down from 12 percent in May 2020. The May 2021 unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in Ulster County, down from 5.3 percent the month before, and down from 12.2 percent a year before. Likewise in Dutchess County where in May there was a 4.3 percent jobless rate, down from 5.1 percent in April, and 11.4 percent in May 2020. Even in more rural Delaware County where there is a much lower COVID-19 vaccination rate, unemployment was down to 4.4 percent last month, down from 5.3 percent in April and 9.7 percent a year ago. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.