Iowa’s weekly unemployment claims fell for the 11th straight week, dropping to 37,290 people. In the last week of October there were 4,964 initial claims for unemployment. For the week ending October 31st, the unemployment benefit payments totaled $10.4 million. The industries with the most claims were manufacturing (1,227), construction (693), self-employed and independent contractors (593), healthcare and social assistance (441), and administrative, support, waste management, and remediation services (294).

Iowa Workforce Development advises that December through the end of February are historically when the highest levels of unemployment are experienced during the year, so there may soon be an increase in unemployment benefit claims.