By Andy Smith
CRANSTON, R.I. -- The state ended 2012 with an unemployment rate of 10.2 percent for the month of December, down from 10.4 percent in November. November's rate was the second highest in the country after Nevada.
According to figures released Thursday by the state's Department of Labor and Training,, the number of unemployed Rhode Island residents -- people without jobs and actively looking for work -- was 57,800 in December, down 900 from 58,700 in November..
The state reported a gain of 1,200 Rhode Island based jobs in December, largely in the professional and business services sector.