Minnesota Unemployment Ticks Down As Job Losses Continue

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate continues to fall to 3.7 percent even as the state loses more jobs.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development reported Thursday that the state lost 1,700 jobs in October. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked slightly down from 3.8 percent in September.

Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben says more baby boomers are retiring and leaving the workforce.

October's job losses add to a slow stretch for Minnesota. The state also lost 6,700 jobs in September but Minnesota employment is still up by nearly 24,000 for the year. Education, health and business services are major bright spots for job growth in the last year.

The nation's unemployment rate sat at 5 percent for October.