THE NATIONAL unemployment rate is down to 3.7 percent, the lowest since 1999 (Shutterstock).

The national unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent in a report issued by the U.S. Department of Labor today (Friday).

That figure for the month of September is the lowest in decades. It’s a drop from 3.7 percent in August. The job market added 136,00 positions, a bit lower than the 145,000 that had been predicted.

Most of the gains in added employment came from the private service sector. Health and social assistance saw an increase of 41,400 people added to the payroll, and 34,000 for professional and business services.

The last time unemployment was this low was in December 1999.

BERNIE SANDERS

Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack this week it was revealed today (Friday). The 78-year-old independent senator from Vermont was hospitalized in Las Vegas on Tuesday after complaining of chest pains.

Two stents were inserted in a blocked artery. He left the hospital today. His campaign issued a statement from Sanders which read: “After two and a half days in the hospital, I feel great, and after taking a short time off, I look forward to getting back to work.”