DES MOINES, Iowa - New numbers from the U.S. Labor Department show am improving picture for Iowa'a unemployment rate.
First time jobless claims were largely unchanged, up by a miniscule 92 to 8,300 last week from 8,208 in the previous week.
But ongoing claims, which reflects the unemployment rate, are down significantly. Continuing claims are 9,293, to 143,488 last week from 152,781 in the previous week.
By comparison, ongoing claims peaked in the first week of May at 191,257.
Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $34,453,854.94 last week, down from $38,079,525.38 the week before.
The following industries had the most claims:
- Manufacturing (2,172)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc. (1,247)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (610)
- Accommodation & Food Services (501)
- Retail Trade (501)