Minnesota Unemployment Dips to 6.5 Percent in April

ST. PAUL  (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.5 percent in April, down a tenth of a point.

That's still well below the April's national rate of 9 percent.

The figures Thursday from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development also showed that the state lost 5,200 jobs in April, mostly due to difficult in the construction sector. That was offset some by the state revising upward the number of jobs gained a month earlier.

Commissioner Mark Phillips said in a statement that colder weather may be to blame for the loss of construction jobs in April.

Leisure and hospitality led all sectors in April, gaining 3,100 jobs.

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