Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By The Associated Press

An economist at the University of Rhode Island says the state’s economy began the second quarter on a somewhat disappointing note.

URI Professor Leonard Lardaro said Monday that his “Current Conditions Index” fell in April. Just eight of the 12 indicators he tracks improved. He says that for the first time this year the index failed to beat its level from a year ago.

Lardaro says the economy has slowed somewhat from its accelerated pace late last year. While the 1.4 percent growth rate in 2012 wasn’t particularly strong, he notes it’s as good as it has been at any time since 2006.

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate fell in April to 8.8 percent, the sixth-highest in the U.S.

Photo courtesy Prof. Leonard Lardaro