State Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly

The state Commerce Department says North Carolina's unemployment rate has risen slightly.  The state's unemployment rate went up to 9-point-7 percent in August. Analysts say that translates to nearly six thousand more people reported as being out of work. That brings the total number of unemployed in North Carolina to more than 450,000.

The state Commerce Department said this marks the second consecutive month North Carolina's unemployment rate has risen. The national unemployment rate was 8-point-1 percent in August. The Division of Employment Security says -- even with the slight increase -- the jobs picture has shown improvement over the past year. Nearly 41-thousand more people have found jobs. The division also reports that there are 47-thousand fewer North Carolinians unemployed than last year at this time.