Idaho unemployment climbs

The Idaho unemployment rate jumped to 6.8 percent in August, up two tenths of a percent from July. Idaho has experienced one of the largest rate increases in the United States over the last four months.

The Idaho Department of Labor reports total employment dropped to its lowest level in nearly a year.

The number of workers without jobs was up 1,200 from July to nearly 52,300 statewide. The number of people working fell to 721,000 which is the lowest total in nearly a year.

According to Department of Labor analysts, employers are still concerned about the economic future at both the state and national levels.

Unemployment benefit payments were down 39 percent. A weekly average of 10,700 people made unemployment claims in August. Over $10.2 million in state and federal benefits were paid. A quarter of the payments were federally financed extended benefits, which will cease at the end of the year.