Missouri unemployment at lowest point in almost 3 years

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's unemployment rate declined last month to its lowest point in more than 2 1/2 years.

The state Department of Economic Development said Tuesday that Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in October -- down two-tenths of a percentage point from September. It was the lowest mark since an 8.4 percent rate in February 2009.

Missouri's unemployment rate also was better than the national average of 9 percent in October.

The department said Missouri's nonfarm employment rose by about 1,100 jobs in October to a total of 2.65 million jobs.