Joblessness down in most states

The number of jobless is down from a year ago July in two-thirds of the states. Only seven states showed increases of 1 percent or more, the Department of Labor reported Tuesday.

Nationwide, the unadjusted jobless rate fell from 9.8 percent a year ago, to 9.4 percent in July. And, was down again in August to 9.2 percent, according to United Press International.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which figures in weather, school closings and other factors, was 9.5 percent in both July and August.

At 17.4 percent, West Virginia topped the list of state unemployment rates in July. At the bottom, North Dakota had a 4.3 percent jobless rate.