By AP
Tennessee – Tennessee's unemployment rate in May increased to 9.7%, up 0.1% from the April rate. Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Karla Davis says the slight increase is a result of "significant growth in the labor force" because of optimism in the improving economy. According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment increases came in leisure and hospitality, up 5,700 jobs; manufacturing, up 2,000; and mining, logging, and construction, up 1,900 jobs. Declines occurred in private educational and health services, down 3,100 jobs; government, down 2,000; and professional, scientific and technical services, down 2,000.