Local unemployment rates increase in January

MADISON (AP) -- Local unemployment rates increased across Wisconsin in January.

The state Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday that the 32 largest cities in the state had higher unemployment in January than compared with December.

However, 30 of them were down from January 2011.

All counties except Florence say high unemployment rates in January compared with December. But like the cities, all but two counties had lower rates than a year ago.

Beloit's unemployment rate was the highest in January at 12.2 percent. The lowest was Caledonia at 3.5 percent.

Door County had the highest unemployment at 13.5 percent while Dane County had the lowest at 4.9 percent.

The statewide unemployment rate in January was 6.9 percent.