Pennsylvania Jobless Rate Ends Five-Month Increase Streak

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's unemployment stopped rising in July, although it remains well above the national rate.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that the jobless rate remained at 5.6 percent in July, after a five-month streak that saw it rise from 4.6 percent in January. The national rate was 4.9 percent in July.

Meanwhile, a survey of employers found that seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls crept up by about 8,000 jobs in July, closer to 5.9 million, just below March's record high.

The civilian labor force shrank by 15,000 after hitting a record high above 6.54 million in May. Employment dropped by 18,000 while unemployment grew by 3,000.

Friday's figures are preliminary and could change.

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