Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Falls

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's unemployment rate has dropped from 4 percent in March to 3.8 percent in April.

Iowa Workforce Development announced the rate Wednesday, noting that despite a decrease of 1,700 nonfarm jobs in sectors like manufacturing, government and trade and transportation, 23,700 more people are working in the state than a year ago. There are currently about 1.6 million people employed in Iowa.

The department says the drop in nonfarm jobs since March is linked to seasonal and education-related work. Construction work increased by 2,400 jobs.

Iowa's unemployment rate was 4.4 percent one year ago. Nationally, the unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent.