THE TRI CITIES EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT DIP IN JOB LEVELS DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2008. THAT IS AMONG THE FINDINGS CONTAINED IN THE LATEST TRI CITIES LABOR MARKET REPORT. THE TRI CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA LOST 439 JOBS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2007. EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST DR. STEB HIPPLE SAYS THE DROP WAS NOT UNEXPECTED BY ANY MEANS.