INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indiana's unemployment rate declined for the first time in four months during August, dropping slightly to 5.8 percent.
Figures released Friday by the state Department of Workforce Development show Indiana's jobless mark fell one-tenth of a percentage point last month from July's rate.
The agency says the unemployment rate fell even though Indiana lost 2,600 private sector jobs in August.
Indiana's jobless rate is down from 7.5 percent a year ago, but had inched back up after reaching 5.7 percent in April.
The state unemployment mark is slightly below the national level of 6.1 percent for August.
Federal figures show about 188,000 people were looking for jobs in Indiana last month.
