Wrap: The state added 4,000 jobs in October, just the second month this year that employers were hiring.

The durable goods manufacturing industry was the biggest winner, while transportation and utilities, plus government, slashed workers.

The state's 9.3 percent unemployment rate in October is still one of the highest in a quarter-century, as more than 280,000 Missourians remain unemployed.

But the statewide rate is now nearly a percent lower than the national average.

The nationwide unemployment rate spiked to more than 10 percent last month.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.