Topeka ? The Kansas unemployment rate for July increased to 6.9 percent, up from 6.5 percent in June and down from 7.9 percent in July 2009, the Kansas Department of Labor reported.

But state officials said there were some positives in the report.

Four of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-year job gains in July, and the construction industry experienced over-the-year job gains for the fourth consecutive month.

“With over-the-year job growth, and industries like construction that were hit hard by the recession steadily hiring once again, we should be encouraged for the future,” Gov. Mark Parkinson said. “While there are still too many Kansans looking for a job, these are positive signs that we are headed in the right direction,” he said.

There were 23,907 initial claims for unemployment benefits in July, up from 15,551 initial claims in June and down from 33,440 in July 2009. There were 249,950 continued claims in July, down from 263,123 in June and down from 281,618 in July 2009.

The unemployment rate in Douglas County was 6.4 percent, up from 5.7 percent in June and slightly lower than the 6.5 percent rate in July 2009.

The national unemployment rate for July was 9.5 percent.