From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.1% in April after six consecutive months of remaining unchanged. Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show the state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate was half of a percentage point higher than last month’s national unemployment rate of 3.6%. In April 2018, Michigan’s jobless rate was 4.3%. Total employment grew by 7,000 during the month while the number of jobless workers increased by 4,000. The agency says the manufacturing sector saw the most pronounced monthly decline in jobs at 3,000. Director Jason Palmer of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives says total employment gains so far this year have averaged 9,800 per month and payroll jobs rose in April for a seventh consecutive month.
