LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s unemployment rate slipped a bit in August to 4.2% from 4.3% in July.

Figures released Wednesday by the state show total employment rose by 4,000 while the number of jobless workers dipped slightly by 1,000 month to month.

The national unemployment rate in August was 3.7% for the third consecutive month, near the lowest level in five decades.

The state says Michigan’s total workforce has advanced each month in 2019. The August level of Michigan’s total employment rose for the third straight month and was the highest since September 2005.