Arkansas' unemployment rate rose in September to 3.9%, up one-tenth of a percentage point from August, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and Arkansas Department of Commerce reported Tuesday. Publication of the report was delayed by more than six weeks because of the federal government shutdown that ended last month.

The state's civilian labor force and number of employed Arkansans remained at record levels in September, the department said in the report. Those numbers stood at roughly 1.43 million and 1.37 million, respectively.

Compared to September 2024, there are 9,049 more Arkansans employed and 6,047 more unemployed. The unemployment rate is up four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

The September report was originally set for release in October, but publication was a

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