Seminole County continues to lag behind in statewide unemployment rankings, according to the latest report from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC).

The OESC report, released Sept. 29, shows Seminole County posted a jobless rate of 5.2% in August, mirroring June and July’s rate. This puts Seminole County in a tie with McCurtain County for having the state’s second highest unemployment rate.

In August, Love County posted Oklahoma’s highest county unemployment rate of 6.0 percent and Texas County had the state’s lowest county unemployment rate of 1.9 percent. Unemployment rates in August were higher than a year earlier in 33 counties, lower in 27 counties and unchanged in 17 counties.

Data for nearby counties Hughes County saw its rate rise from 4.9% in July to 5.0 % in August.

Pottawatomie County’s rate of 3.7% was up slightly over July’s rate of 3.6%.

Okfuskee County’s rate of 4.0% represents a drop of .01% from the July report.

Pontotoc County posted a rate of 2.9% in August, which was unchanged from the previous month.

In light of the government shutdown, the OESC posted this message on its website: Federal employees may apply for unemployment benefits during a federal shutdown; however, if back pay for wages are issued, any unemployment compensation received must be returned in full. Unemployment overpayments may accrue interest until fully repaid. Federal employees who fully separate from employment or return to work during the shutdown must notify OESC.