Below we show our unemployment rate heatmap by state. The latest unemployment rates were updated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the month of August earlier this week.  Many of the states with deteriorating (higher) unemployment rates are those that have large exposure to the oil & gas sector.  We’ve bolded those states in the heatmap.  With election buzz in full swing, it’s also worth paying attention to the economies of key swing states.  We’ve noted those with a lighter outline and italics.  Finally, the national unemployment rate is outlined in dashes as a reference point.