N.M. unemployment ticks upward again

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico labor officials say the state has lost 2,800 jobs over the past year. It marks the second consecutive month that over-the-year job growth has been negative.

The state Department of Workforce Solutions said Friday that job growth was negative 0.4 percent last month. That followed 10 months of growth that averaged about 0.4 percent.

New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 6.6 percent in July. That's up from 6.5 percent in June, but down from 7.5 percent in July 2011.

Employment has increased in some industries, including leisure and hospitality and mining. Educational and health services led the way with 3,200 jobs more than this time last year.

The government sector was down by 3,900 jobs from last year while professional and business services shed 4,400 jobs.