DES MOINES, Iowa - New jobless numbers for Iowa show a positive trend for the state.
Ongoing jobless claims, which reflect the state's actual unemployment rate, are down 4 percent.
The new figures come after ongoing jobless claims dropped by 13 percent in the previous week.
First time jobless claims are also down in the new report, by roughly 15 percent according to the U.S. Labor Department.
Even with the positive figures, Iowa's unemployment rate remains historically high, at 8.0 percent.
By the numbers, continuing claims are down by 4,969 in the last week, from 115,930 in the previous week to 110,961 is the latest week, a drop of 4 percent.
By comparison, ongoing claims peaked in the first week of May at 191,257. The current numbers show a drop of nearly 42 percent from the high mark.
First time jobless claims were down by a 1,148, from 8,811 to 7,441 in the most recent week.
Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $31,811,405.67, slightly higher that $31,755,710.09 in the previous week.
The following industries had the most claims:
- Manufacturing (1,850)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc. (1,154)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (693)
- Education Services (517)
- Accommodation & Food Services (472)