With over 20 states across the United States cutting jobs the unemployment rate has reached around 9% avg, throughout the nation. The Labor Department said Friday that 29 states added jobs in August. Unemployment rates rose in 18 states, fell in 17 and were unchanged in 15. 'The picture is decidedly mixed,'' said Jim Diffley chief US regional economist at IHS Global Insight. ''We're still optimistic about the improvement (in hiring), but it's been slow.'' See More @ http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20130921/unemployment-rates-rise-us-id-1701713595.html