WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in more than half the U.S. states in March even as job growth slowed. Rates fell largely because many of those out of work stopped looking for jobs and were no longer counted as unemployed.

Unemployment rates fell in 26 states, rose in 7 and were unchanged in 17.

Only 23 states reported a net gain in hiring in March, the fewest since August 2011. Employers cut jobs in 26 states, and New Mexico reported little change. That was much worse than in February, when 42 states reported job gains.

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