Mass. Jobless Rate Hits 9.1 Percent

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts has exceeded 9 percent.

State labor officials say the unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in August, up from 8.8 percent in July.

State Labor Secretary Suzanne Bump said the bright spot came in the private sector, which has added jobs in the past several months.

"Our private sector job increases, however, have been offset by the large number of government jobs that have been lost," Bump added.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in August, compared with 9.4 percent in July.