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State Unemployment Down For Eighth Month Straight

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Indiana’s unemployment rate declined for the eighth consecutive month in October, hitting a 14-year low in the Hoosier State. 

The Indiana unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent last month, the lowest level since August of 2001. 

The state’s private sector added jobs for the seventh time out of nine months in 2015 – though October’s additions were modest, merely 100 jobs. 

The increase was dragged down by a significant drop in trade, transportation and utility jobs, which saw a net loss last month of 3,800 positions.  The manufacturing sector surged, however, adding 5,400 jobs. 

Governor Mike Pence noted Indiana continues to build on its all-time record high for people employed, now more than 12,000 above its previous peak.  

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.