Missouri jobless rate falls again

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's unemployment rate dropped in April, according to figures released Friday.

Missouri's unemployment rate fell from 5 percent in March to 4.7 percent last month, better than the national rate of 5.6 percent.

The state has gained 34,600 jobs in the past year, Bill Niblack, a research manager for the Department of Economic Development, said.

All major industries saw gains in April except construction, which was down about 1,000 jobs for the month but still up for the year, Niblack said. The leisure and hospitality sector increased by 7,000 jobs, professional and business services was up 3,900 and manufacturing gained 2,500.