Alaska expected to lose 7,500 jobs in 2017

KETCHIKAN (AP) – State analysts predict Alaska will lose thousands of jobs this year as it continues to deal with the effects of low oil prices.

The Alaska Department of Labor estimates the state will lose about 7,500 jobs in 2017, a little more than 2 percent of its total workforce, The Ketchikan Daily News reported.

Economist Caroline Shultz said in the state’s annual job forecast report that there will be widespread reductions in service industries that rely on consumer spending. Alaskans will hold on to more of their

dollars this year because of lower wages and less confidence in the state...