Minn. jobless rate up slightly in February

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate rose a little, to 4.6 percent, in February.

That's up from 4.5 percent in January, according to new numbers out from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Economics commissioner Dan McElroy says Minnesota is feeling the effects of a sluggish national economy.

Construction lost 2,000 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities lost 2,700.

Minnesota added jobs in services, education, finance, and a few in manufacturing.

Even though unemployment rose a little, the number of jobs also grew by 4,100, or a half-percent. Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud grew a little faster than the state average.

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