More jobs lost across Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's unemployment rate edged down again in July, but the state continued to shed jobs — 1,200 from the previous month.

The state Department of Labor and Training reported Friday that the jobless rate was 10.8 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point.

The number of employed residents fell by 100 from June, to 494,900. That's 4,000 fewer employed residents than a year ago. The size of the state's labor force was also down by 400 from June, to 554,800. That's down 8,400 from a year ago.

The state shed 1,200 jobs, three-quarters in the health care and social assistance sector.

The national unemployment rate in July was 8.3 percent.

Rhode Island has struggled with the second highest rate in the country, behind Nevada.

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