Acadiana Business

La. unemployment rate falls

by Leslie Turk

State's unemployment rate down to 6.6 percent, compared with 7.1 percent a year ago. Louisiana's unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent in October, down from 7 percent in September, and 7.1 percent in October last year.

Tuesday's report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows total employment of 1,940,995 in October. The September figure was 1,927,850.

The number listed as unemployed fell to 137,785 in October from 144,216 in September. The labor force grew, according to the report, which said there were 2,078,780 people in the workforce in October, compared to 2,072,066 the month before.

The October unemployment rate fell in 37 states and Washington, D.C., despite a slight increase in the national jobless rate. Click here to view USA Today's map on how each state fared last month.

The national unemployment rate, however, was up slightly, to 7.9 percent in October compared with 7.8 percent in September.