W.Va. unemployment rate increases in December (AP)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ? West Virginia's unemployment rate rose to 7.7 percent in December, up from 7.1 percent in November.

WorkForce West Virginia says there remained 59,600 unemployed residents, with total unemployment down 13,400.

A loss of 4,100 jobs in the goods-producing sector like construction, mining and manufacturing countered a gain of 500 jobs in the service-providing sector that includes educational and health services, and professional and business services.

Government employment declined by 300, trade, transportation and utilities jobs declined by 200. Other declines included 200 in information and 100 in leisure and hospitality.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 7.9 percent in December. That's compared to the national rate of 8.5 percent.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/economy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120119/ap_on_bi_ge/us_unemployment_west_virginia

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