Jobless Rate, Labor Department | featured news

In the wake of the controversial 7.8% unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Labor Department earlier this month, Gallup today said that its nonseasonally adjusted rate fell from 7.9% at the end of September to 7.3% in mid-October. That is a new low since Gallup began collecting employment data in January 2010.

Jobless rates in 20 states were above the national rate of 9.1 percent in August, with Nevada's level springing up to 13.4 percent, the Labor Department said on Friday.

Private employers added 67,000 jobs, more than forecast, but governments shed jobs in August, the Labor Department reported.

The jobless rate in 39 states and Washington, D.C. fell in June compared to the prior month, the Labor Department said. Just five states saw unemployment rate increases.