Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in September but up substantially over the year. Overall, 21 states
and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 23 states registered decreases, and 6 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. Over the year, jobless rates were up in 47 states and the District of Columbia and down in 3 states. The national unemployment rate was un- changed in September at 6.1 percent but was up from 4.7 percent a year earlier.