NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's September unemployment rate of 9.8 percent rose slightly from the previous month.

The August rate was 9.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for September was 9.1 percent, unchanged from August.

State Labor Commissioner Karla Davis says there were seasonal increases in areas such as education but at the same time losses in leisure and hospitality.

University of Tennessee economist Bill Fox says there are positive indicators despite the rise, such as an increase in durable goods manufacturing during the month.

According to a survey of businesses, monthly employment increases came in local government, up 19,500 jobs; educational and health services, 3,400; and durable goods manufacturing, 1,400.

From August to September, leisure and hospitality decreased by 5,500 jobs; administrative, support and waste services fell 1,000; and merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods declined by 700 jobs.