Unemployment rate creeps up to 6.6%

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico labor officials say the state has marked the seventh straight month of positive job growth, meaning there were 7,400 more jobs in December than the same time last year.

The Department of Workforce Solutions says over-the-year job growth was 0.9 percent. The unemployment rate also rose slightly to 6.6 percent in December, up from 6.5 percent the previous month.

The department's payroll survey showed mixed results. Employment increased in seven industries over the past year, while it decreased in five others.

Construction was on the losing side, down 6,000 jobs. Government was also down by 1,300 jobs.