DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.0 percent in September, up from 2.9 percent last month but down from 3.1 percent a year ago. Meanwhile, Iowa’s labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 68.7 percent to 68.6 percent in September as college students left the workforce to return to school.

The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.8 percent in September, and the national labor force participation rate remained at 62.8 percent.

The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 52,800 in September from 50,200 in August. The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,688,200 last month. This figure is 4,200 lower than August but 22,000 higher than one year ago.

“National economic uncertainty continues to impact sectors like leisure and hospitality and professional and business services, but other industries are continuing to hire,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “If the warning signs turn out to be right, IWD will be well-positioned to match skilled workers with the employers who need them to grow. Through our Reemployment Case Management program, we have the right resources in the right place to help displaced workers find new careers as soon as possible.”

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Iowa establishments shed 500 jobs in September, lowering total nonfarm employment to 1,585,200. Businesses in the state have been uneasy about hiring since April, and nonfarm employment has trended down, with job losses in four of the last five months. Jobs were gained in September mostly within goods production; however, gains were more than offset by private sector losses in leisure and hospitality along with professional and business services. Government also shed jobs in September at the local level (-200), yet remains up 2,600 compared to last year.

Among private industries, construction added 1,800 in September to lead all sectors. This gain was more than expected given that jobs had been pared in the prior four months. The monthly increase may be the result of construction firms rushing to wrap up projects before the colder weather arrives in the coming months. Jobs also were added in other services in September (+800). The largest movements were in religious, grantmaking, civic, and professional organizations. All other gains were smaller in nature – including manufacturing and information services, both of which added 200 jobs. Conversely, layoffs in arts, entertainment, and recreation fueled a drop of 1,100 in leisure and hospitality. Accommodations and food services increased slightly relative to August (+200). Professional and business services also shed jobs in September (-1,000). Administrative support and waste management industries pared 900 and was responsible for most of the loss. Financial activities posted the only other major loss this month (-800). Both credit intermediation and real estate rental and leasing shed 400 jobs.

Annually, Iowa has gained 11,400 jobs over the past 12 months. The largest increases have been in education and health care industries (+10,000). Most of the jobs gained were in health care and social assistance (+7,100). Despite the loss this month, leisure and hospitality is up 4,500 since last September thanks mostly to eating and drinking establishments bolstering payrolls. On the other hand, annual job losses were heaviest in professional and business services (-8,200). Losses for this sector have been driven by declines in employment services for individuals and business services for firms.

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she’s received credible death threats after she switched her vote for House speaker.

Miller-Meeks voted for Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan for House Speaker on Tuesday, but she said her “initial concerns” about “threatening tactics” from other Republicans in congress and Jordan supporters elsewhere increased. Miller-Meeks supported the chair of the House Appropriations Committee during today’s second round of voting. Miller-Meeks, in a written statement issued early this evening, said her office is cooperating with “the proper authorities” after she received a barrage of threatening calls and death threats following that vote. Miller-Meeks said she will “not bend to bullies” and is looking to support a “consensus candidate” for speaker.

Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who has voted for Jordan twice, issued a video statement late today, calling the eight Republicans who engineered the ouster of Kevin McCarthy “chaos agents” who “should be ashamed of themselves.” Hinson said it’s time to end to “drama and infighting” among House Republicans.

By Brooke Bickford (Radio Iowa)

It’s “National School Bus Safety Week,” and despite reminders every year, there are still drivers who pass buses that have their lights flashing and stop arms out. State Trooper Paul Gardner says many of the school bus problems are caused by poor driving habits.

“We’ve seen it, like said too many times where people are distracted. They are maybe speeding, they’re not paying attention to their surroundings, and all of a sudden the bus is stopped and that could put children at danger,” he says. Trooper Gardner says bus safety is simple. “We just want people to realize how important it is that they stop and just watch for the school buses,” Gardner says.

He says more and more districts are using cameras that catch violators. “So they’ll capture a license plate and so with that still photo that and maybe even a video will accompany the bus driver report and then we follow through with a traffic ticket,” Gardner says. If we can’t locate the driver in that the registered owner gets the ticket.”

The minimum fine for a first offense is $345 and Trooper Gardner says that can go up to $675 and a person could lose their license with more violations. Gardner says the week includes public reminders and emergency drills with students to ensure they are prepared in case of an emergency situation.