(Radio Iowa) – The state unemployment rate dropped again in August. The rate went from six-point-eight percent in July down to six percent in August and the number of unemployed is now estimated is 91-thousand-500 lower than the Covid-19 peak in April. The state unemployment rate one year ago was more than half of what it is now at two-point-eight percent. A statement from Iowa Workforce Development says August saw the fourth consecutive monthly increase in jobs since April — but the increase is substantially lower than the average number of jobs added over the previous three months.

The statement says slower hiring could be a symptom of colder weather setting in and businesses believing that demand will not return to pre-pandemic levels as quickly as hoped.