Some states’ economies cool even as the nation’s sizzles

A still-roaring national economy grew at an unexpectedly robust 5.2% annual rate in the third quarter of this year, but early indicators show a more mixed picture for many states heading into the holidays. The preliminary unemployment rate rose in 38 states and economic output slowed in 32 states in October, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal economic data. Yet states where the economy is still humming — such as Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia — have added hundreds of thousands of jobs since 2020 and are helping to keep national output strong. Economi...