Jobless Rate Edges Up

West Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched higher in January. WorkForce West Virginia says that the unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 6.3 percent. The number of unemployed state residents increased by 1,000 in January to 49,400. Job declines came in leisure and hospitality, government, construction, and professional and business services, along with educational and health services. Job gains included 1,000 in manufacturing and 600 in financial activities. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.9 percent in January.