Jobless rates drop in 34 states and DC

By JEANNINE AVERSA AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Unemployment rates fell in a majority of states last month as improved economic conditions spurred hiring.

The Labor Department says that 34 states and the District of Columbia reported their jobless rates fell in April. Six states reported higher rates, while 10 saw unemployment hold steady.

That marked an improvement from March when 16 reported declines in unemployment, 22 saw increases, and 12 had no change, according to revised figures.

South Carolina's rate fell to 11.6 percent in April, from 12.2 percent in March, marking the largest monthly drop of any state.