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COLUMBUS — Ohio's unemployment rate increased slightly in October to 7.3 percent, up from 7.2 percent in September, according to data released on Friday, Nov. 21, by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

"Ohio's labor market continued to reflect a weakening national economy," ODJFS Assistant Director Sherry Keys-Hebron said in a press release. "Job losses occurred in both the goods-producing and service-providing industries as the unemployment rate increased slightly to 7.3 percent."

The unemployment rate in August was 7.4 percent. Friday's news meant that for the first time since the end of 1992 the unemployment rate in Ohio has been above 7 percent for three consecutive months.

The U.S. unemployment rate in October was 6.5 percent.

The state's October unemployment rate was up from 5.7 percent in October 2007.

Nonfarm wage and salary employment in the state dipped by 9,000 over the month, from 5,402,600 in September to 5,393,600 in October.

The number of unemployed workers increased slightly, from 433,000 in September to 435,000 in October. During the past 12 months, the number of unemployed workers has increased by 91,000 from 344,000.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@

coxohio

.com.