Missouri unemployment rate holds at 9.3 percent

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's unemployment rate held steady in July at 9.3 percent while job losses slowed from previous months.

It's only the second time this year that the state's unemployment rate has not increased from the previous month. Although Missouri shed 700 non-farm jobs in July, it's the best showing since October. The state Department of Economic Development released the labor figures Tuesday.

Missouri gained 3,800 jobs in durable goods manufacturing, and 1,300 in health care and social assistance. It lost 3,300 in local government and 2,000 in construction.