More Have Jobs In La., But Jobless Rate Rises

UNDATED (AP) — The number of Louisianans with jobs continued to set records in September, but the state's unemployment rate kept rising as new job seekers keep entering the market.

The state's jobless rate rose to 6 percent, up for the fifth straight month. Louisiana's unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in August and 6 percent in September 2013.

The labor force rose by 17,500 people in September, while a thousand more people reported having jobs.

A separate survey shows employer payrolls rose by almost 5,000, again hitting an all-time high.

Both sets of figures — adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes — were released Tuesday by the U.S. Labor Department.

The report found almost 130,000 Louisianans unemployed in September, up from about 123,000 in August and 126,000 in September 2013.

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