Montana Unemployment Up To 7.8 Percent In August

The Labor Department says Montana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.8 percent in August.

Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly says Montana's economy slowed in the third quarter and shed some of the jobs added earlier in the year. He says the state's economic recovery continues, but job growth is slow an unsteady.

Total employment estimates show a loss of about 380 jobs between July and August, while payroll estimates show 1,900 jobs lost.

Montana's unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in January, fell to 7.3 percent in April and May and has steadily increased since to 7.5 percent in June and 7.7 percent in July. The national unemployment rate remained steady at 9.1 percent.

The seasonally adjusted consumer price index increased 0.4 percent in August.

Associated Press