N.C. unemployment rate jumps to 4.8 percent

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina's unemployment rate rose for the first time in seven months in April, jumping to 4.8 percent.

That's according to data released today by the state Employment Security Commission.

The rise from 4.5 percent in March marked the largest increase in unemployment since April 2003.

The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.5 percent.

The state's employment dropped by 6,300 to 4.3 million — the second consecutive monthly decline.

Compared to the year-ago period, overall employment was still up by nearly 76,000, or 1.79 percent.

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