Minnesota Unemployment Rate Up, Jobs Shed in July

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate is up and its job count is down, according to new data for July.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported Thursday that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 4 percent. It's the first highest since May 2014 and a tick above the 3.9 percent for June.

Minnesota's rate compares with a 5.3 percent rate nationally.

State figures show 3,900 jobs were shed last month, the most coming in leisure and hospitality, construction and trade, transportation and utilities sectors. Some of those losses were offset by gains in government, professional and business services and financial activities.

Over the past year, there have been almost 44,000 jobs added to the Minnesota workforce.