Virginia unemployment rate rises to 6.9%

Richmond (WBQB/WFVA/AP)  -- The Virginia Employment Commission says the state's unemployment rate climbed higher during January but was still well below the national average.    Virginia's seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January was 6.9 percent, up from the 6.8 percent rate recorded in December. It was 5.7 percent a year ago.   Officials say the rate was higher because of job cuts as
retailers and hotels lay off holiday workers. Winter breaks at schools and colleges as well as factory furloughs contributed to the rate.    The state's unemployment remained below the national rate of 9.7 percent in January.     The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says Virginia was one of 30 states reporting month-to-month increases in the unemployment rate. Nine states reported declines, and 11 reported no change.