RI adds jobs for 1st time in 3 months

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's unemployment rate has fallen slightly, and the state added jobs for the first time in three months.

The state Department of Labor and Training said Friday the jobless rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point in August, to 10.7 percent. That's the fourth straight month of decline.

The number of employed residents increased by 600 to 495,500, but was still down 3,300 from a year ago. The size of the state's labor force fell by 100, to 554,700, a drop of 8,300 from last year.

The department said the number of Rhode Island jobs was 456,900, up 1,100 from revised July numbers. The largest gain came in the accommodation and food services sector.

The U.S. unemployment rate is 8.1 percent.

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