R.I. unemployment rate ticks up to 5.4% amid largest monthly job loss this year

Nancy Lavin

11/18/2021

RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate was 5.4% in October. / AP FILE PHOTO/HEITH SRAKOCIC — RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate was 5.4% in October. / AP FILE PHOTO/KEITH SRAKOCIC

PROVIDENCE – The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged higher in October as the number of jobs fell for the first time this year, according to new data from the R.I. Department of Labor and Training published on Thursday. The 5.4% seasonally adjusted unemployment rate represents a 0.2-percentage point increase over last month, though well…