Local Unemployment Rate Rises

The unemployment rate continues to climb in the Rochester area.

The State Labor Department reports the jobless rate was 8.4 percent last month, up from 7.7 percent in June 2011.

It's also the fifth consecutive month the unemployment rate was higher in the Rochester area, compared to the same month in 2011.

Tammy Marino, analyst for the State labor Department says the latest unemployment numbers reflect more people are now back out in the job market looking for work.

Marino adds this is more reflective of an improving economy, and this has lured previously discouraged workers back as active job-seekers.