AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 percent in October for the second straight month of declines.

The Texas Workforce Commission on Friday announced the jobless figure for last month, compared to 6.8 percent unemployment in September.

Chairman Andres Alcantar says the Texas economy continues to show strength compared to the national private sector. The Texas unemployment rate remains more than a full percentage point below the national jobless figure of 7.9 percent.

The Austin-based TWC says employers across Texas added 36,600 total nonfarm jobs last month for a total of 277,400 jobs added over the year.

The Midland area had the lowest October unemployment rate in Texas at 3.3 percent.

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