NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee's unemployment rate in June increased to 9.8 percent, up 0.1 percent from the May figure.

State Labor Commissioner Karla Davis said Thursday that the higher rate is a result of a "decline in employment combined with a slight expansion in the labor force."

June marks the third consecutive month that the unemployment rate has slightly increased.

According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment increases came in leisure and hospitality, up 4,700 jobs; mining, logging and construction, up 1,900; and manufacturing, up 1,600 jobs.

Declines occurred in government jobs, down 30,800; educational services, down by 3,000 jobs; and administrative, support and waste services, down 1,700.

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