May Brings Small Shift in Minnesota Unemployment Picture

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate has barely budged in a year and has registered at 3.8 percent for May.

That's within a tenth of a percent of what it was a year ago in June and a tick higher than it was in April. Minnesota's unemployment rate remains well below the nation's 5.5 percent.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said Thursday employers cut 200 jobs overall, a small dent in the state's year-to-year gain of 38,000 jobs. Minnesota's growth rate lags the national average but its labor force participation rate of 70.8 percent is one of the country's best.

There was job growth in several sectors, including trade, transportation, utilities, financial services, government and construction. Losses were seen in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing and education.