NC unemployment rate above national average

RALEIGH (AP) -- The unemployment rate in North Carolina rose for the third consecutive month in March and remains above the national average. The Employment Security Commission released figures Friday that show North Carolina had a 5.2 percent unemployment rate in March, up from 5 percent in February. The rate had remained stable at 4.7 percent for seven months before rising to 4.9 percent in January. Nationally, the unemployment rate in March was 5.1 percent. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)