Long-term unemployed will lose 9 weeks of benefits

MADISON (AP) - Wisconsin workers who have been unemployed for more than a year will lose nine weeks of benefits because of the state's improving economy.
    
The federal government has notified the state that its lower unemployment rate means an end to federal emergency unemployment insurance. It extended benefits from 54 weeks to 63 weeks.
    
The State Journal reports an estimated 10,500 workers who have been unemployed for more than a year will start losing benefits the week of Feb. 9. An unemployment rate below 7 percent means an end to the federal subsidy.
    
The U.S. Department of Labor has calculated the state's three-month average unemployment rate at 6.7 percent.