Unemployment rate in Calif climbs to 11.9 pct

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s unemployment rate climbed to 11.9 percent in July, the highest number in modern record-keeping.

That’s an increase from 11.6 percent in June and considerably higher than the jobless rate of 7.3 percent a year ago.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday that 87,000 Californians lost jobs during the month. The trade, transportation and utilities sectors posted the largest drop, losing 15,900 jobs.

California is among 15 states and the District of Columbia that have jobless rates above 10 percent.

Unemployment rose in 26 states in July, but overall the jobless rate notched down to 9.4 percent in July, from 9.5 percent in June.

(This version CORRECTS number of Californians who lost their jobs.)