RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's unemployment rate held steady in October and remains well below the national average.

The U.S. Labor Department reported Friday that Virginia's jobless rate for October was 6.6 percent, the same rate for July and August, but higher than the 4.3 percent recorded in October 2008.

The national unemployment rate was 10.2 percent in October, up from 9.8 percent in September and 3.6 points higher than in October 2008.

October unemployment topped 10 percent in eight states and the District of Columbia.

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