Arkansas unemployment rate creeps up to 4 percent

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     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Officials say Arkansas’ unemployment rate crept up to 4 percent last month, but it still remains well below the jobless rate a year ago.

     The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services said Friday that September’s unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point from August’s numbers. The agency says that even with the slight increase, Arkansas still has more than 11,000 fewer unemployed workers than in September 2015, when the state unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.

     The state says four industry sectors added jobs last month, led by an increase of 13,000 jobs in the government sector, which was primarily linked to seasonal hiring at public schools and universities.

     Educational and health services added 4,600 jobs, manufacturing increased by 1,000 jobs and trade, transportation and utilities decreased by 1,600 jobs.




   

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