Associated Press - November 21, 2009 3:24 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Newly released figures show the unemployment rate in Arkansas rose half a percentage point in October to 7.6 percent.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the highest jobless rate in the state since September 1988, when it also was 7.6 percent.

Arkansas has lost 28,700 jobs in the past year, a 2.4 percent decline compared with October 2008. The state added 2,400 jobs in October when compared with September.

According to the state Department of Workforce Services, the trade, transportation and utilities sector lost 1,600 jobs, while the leisure and hospitality sector lost 700 jobs.

The government sector added 2,800 jobs, mostly because public schools reached their anticipated employment level for the year.

Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com

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