Unemployment Rate Drops Despite Job Losses

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than 13 years even though more than 5,000 jobs were lost in December.

The state economic development agency says employers cut 5,200 jobs in December. The department also revised November's job gains down by 4,000.

But unemployment in the state dropped to 3.6 percent last month. It's the lowest rate since April 2001. It's also lower than the national average of 5.6 percent.

Government, education and health services and manufacturing saw the most job losses. Trade, transportation and utilities added the most jobs last month.