Missouri loses 12,900 jobs, many to tornado

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lost nearly 13,000 jobs last month, due partly to the deadly tornado that hit Joplin.

The state Department of Economic Development said Monday that the Joplin area lost 9,400 jobs in June, the first month in which the effects of the May 22 tornado were included in the employment survey. Statewide, Missouri's employment fell by 12,900 jobs from May to June.

Even with that loss, Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was not significantly affected. The department said the state's jobless rate fell from 8.9 percent in May to 8.8 percent in June.