June New England unemployment just below US rate

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show New England's unemployment rate coming in just below the national rate.

The bureau's regional office says the unemployment rate for June was 7.1 percent, compared to 7.3 percent a year ago. The national jobless rate in June was 7.6 percent.

Vermont, at 4.4 percent, and New Hampshire at 5.2 percent, had significantly lower unemployment rates than the national rate. At 8.9 percent, Rhode Island's rate was significantly higher, while Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts had jobless rates close to the national rate.

Over the year, both Rhode and Vermont saw their rates decline.