The jobless rate for April dropped significantly in most Northeast Missouri counties.    Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, Scotland and Shelby counties all saw decreases of at least one percent. Lower unemployment also was recorded in Audrain, Knox, Marion and Montgomery counties and the city of Hannibal.

The only place that saw a higher jobless rate between March and April was Clark County.

Across Missouri, unemployment also edged up slightly. The state said the best places to find a job were in the professional service, construction and administrative support fields.