N.C. jobless rate up to 4.8 percent

RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina's unemployment rate rose for the first time in seven months in April, jumping to 4.8 percent, according to data released Friday by the state Employment Security Commission.

The rise from 4.5 percent in March marked the largest increase in unemployment since April 2003.The state's employment dropped by 6,355 to 4,312,899 - the second consecutive monthly decline.

Compared to one year ago, employment was still up by 75,781, or 1.79 percent.