Wisconsin had the nation’s biggest job losses in October, while a neighboring state seen as a chief competitor in the battle to attract employers led the nation in adding jobs. Wisconsin was one of just 11 where payrolls declined on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. State officials reported a week ago that 9,700 jobs were lost in Wisconsin last month, including 9,300 from the private sector.
New York State had the second-biggest losses with 8,300. Illinois added the most jobs in October, around 30,000, followed by California at just under 26,000. Wisconsin was among 36 states where jobless rates fell in October. The seasonally adjusted rate in the Badger State fell one-tenth-of-a-point, to 7.7 percent.