Kentucky unemployment dips slightly in August

The jobless rate fell for "good" reasons, as 10,300 more MA residents were employed and 4,400 fewer residents were unemployed over the month of August - an increase in the state's labor force of 5,900 people.

In bad news for the Rhode Island economy, the unemployment rate inched up to 5.6 percent in August from 5.5 percent in July and the Ocean State-based jobs dropped by 700, according to data released today by the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.

A statement from Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo pointed to an increase in the number of employed residents, suggesting that more workers are returning to the labor force. According to this survey, seven of Kentucky's 11 major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors registered gains in employment, while three declined and one stayed the same from the previous month. A fifth of the claims filed were because of temporary layoffs.

Total employment in MI this year declined somewhat over the summer months; however, overall employment in the state has shown solid gains in 2016, officials said. Compared to a year ago, claims were up by 903, or 3.4 percent, from 26,335 in August 2015. Manufacturing was the only sector to report job losses (-4,500).

Government lost 1,000 (-0.2%) jobs over the month. Since August 2015, employment in manufacturing has declined by 300.

The August labor force increased by 5,900 from 3.6 million in July, as 10,300 more residents were employed and 4,400 fewer residents were unemployed. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

The state's unemployment rate is now below what most economists consider full employment. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.