By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Kansas increased for the third straight month in July to 5.9 percent, which is the highest rate this year.
The rate has increased from May's 5.7 percent and June's 5.8 percent.
"Part of the reason of increases in the previous months was due to more individuals entering the labor force," said Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Lana Gordon.
The Labor Department reported that 800 private-sector jobs were gained over the month, and 23,300 over the year.
"The number of jobs created over the year is encouraging,” said Efua Afful, a labor economist with the department. “Over the month, the private sector gained some jobs but did not perform as well as expected," Afful said.
Three major industries reported over-the-month job losses. Government lost 18,900 jobs, principally seasonal at the local level; manufacturing lost 1,900 jobs; and the education and health services sector lost 800 jobs, the department reported.
