Unemployment rises to 13.8 percent in Las Vegas

Page Last Updated: Monday March 8, 2010 7:22am PST

State officials say unemployment rose in Nevada's two major metropolitan areas in January, while the statewide rate remained at 13 percent.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said Monday that the jobless rate in the Las Vegas area rose to 13.8 percent, while the unemployment rate in Reno, Sparks and Carson City rose to 13.5 percent.

Those numbers were 13.1 percent and 12.7 percent in December. Officials say the January figures are a reflection of seasonal patterns, more than recessionary pressure.

Employers in the state shed more than 25,000 jobs in January.

That's twice the 12,500 jobs lost in December.

The report says 187,700 Nevadans are actively seeking work.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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