Arizona jobless rate for January was 8 percent
Arizona's jobless rate for January was 8 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from Dec.
PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona's unemployment rate is up, rising from 7.9 percent in December to 8 percent in January.
The state Department of Administration released the latest figures Thursday.
Department economists say there were seasonal job losses in Arizona's government and the private sector.
The department says Arizona lost 45,500 non-farm jobs in January.
Retail trade and employment industries lost the most jobs, reflecting typical reductions after the December holiday shopping season.
Economists say local public education lost 9,400 jobs around Arizona, the largest January loss in that sector since 2007.
