Jobless rates rise in 18 states, Washington D.C.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia registered unemployment rate increases in August compared to July.

Last month, 17 states recorded decreases, while 15 reported no change, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

At 7.2 percent, Missouri's jobless rate was among those to increase month-to-month. The Show-Me State recorded a July jobless rate of 7.1 percent.

Compared to the same month a year ago, August saw 36 states and Washington, D.C., record lower unemployment rates, with 12 increases and two unchanged, the release said.

Missouri's jobless rate increased two-tenths of a point in August compared to the same month of 2012.