Wethersfield (AP) — State labor officials say job creation stalled in Connecticut in September and October as employers nervously watched the federal government shutdown and budget impasse in Washington.

However, the state's unemployment rate fell to 7.9 percent from 8.1 percent in August, the first time in four years it was below 8 percent.

Nonfarm employment fell by 4,100 in September and was down 100 jobs in October or essentially flat as the federal shutdown ended mid-month.

The private sector added 1,000 jobs in October despite the slight decline in overall nonfarm jobs.

Department research director Andy Condon says greater economic uncertainty and hiring indecision marked the weeks leading to the federal shutdown.

The state issued the statistics for the two months combined because the shutdown delayed the September release scheduled for October.