Oklahoma unemployment rate climbs slightly in May

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Slightly more Oklahomans went looking for work in May than in the month before, but the state's unemployment rate remained below the national average.<br><br>Numbers from the

Friday, June 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Slightly more Oklahomans went looking for work in May than in the month before, but the state's unemployment rate remained below the national average.

Numbers from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission show the state's unemployment rate at 2.8%, up from 2.7% in April. The national average was3.9%.

May's 0.1% unemployment rise is much lower than for the same time last year, when unemployment in Oklahoma rose3.5% between April and May.

Unemployment in eastern Oklahoma remained higher than in counties west of Interstate 35 and were even above the national average.

Okmulgee County reported the highest jobless rate at 6.6%, down from 6.7% in April. Payne County reported the lowest unemployment rate, at 1.1%.