Jobless rate down in Montana, up on Hi-Line

The jobless rate in Montana went down again during January, the sixth month in a row the rate has declined.

Montana's unemployment rate again dropped by 0.1 percent to 6.5 percent in January, marking six straight months of decreases. U.S. unemployment has also been receding since August, decreasing 0.2 percent to 8.3 percent in January.

But the jobless rate on the Hi-Line went up last month, as it traditionally does during January.

"Montana's economy continues to improve with stronger and more deliberate job growth, " said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "We continue to have a positive outl...