St. Paul, MN) -- The state's unemployment rate inched up to seven percent in August from the revised figure of six-point-nine percent in July. Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy says Minnesota had a very small gain in total employment in August adding 600 jobs. Jobs were added in five of the state's eleven sectors while the biggest losses were in construction and trade, transportation and utilities. McElroy says an increase in unemployment claims, the change of season and more people looking for work contributed to a slight uptick in the jobless rate.
