Topeka ? The state unemployment rate fell slightly, to 6.2 percent in November, the fourth straight month of decline, officials said Thursday. The October rate was 6.3 percent.

While the drop was welcome news, the jobless rate remained much higher than the 4.7 percent reported in November 2008.

“This reminds us that we still have a ways to go before we see recovery in the job market, which remains weak, particularly in areas like manufacturing, and professional and business services,” said Tyler Tenbrink with the Kansas Department of Labor.

And in Douglas County, the unemployment rate increased from 4.6 percent in October to 4.9 percent in November. In November 2008, the Douglas County jobless rate was 4 percent.

Kansas businesses have lost 60,100 jobs over the year, the department reported.

There were 24,125 initial claims for unemployment benefits in November, up from 22,815 initial claims in October and up from 16,071 in November 2008.

There were 194,271 continued claims for unemployment benefits in November, up from 163,744 continued claims in October and up from 86,048 in November 2008.