Topeka ? The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November increased to 6.8 percent, up from 6.7 percent in October and 6.3 percent last November.

There were 23,822 initial claims for unemployment benefits in November, up from 23,231 initial claims in October and down from 29,905 in November 2009. There were 270,864 continued claims in November, up from 219,323 in October 2010 and down from 344,679 in November 2009.

Kansas Secretary of Labor Jim Garner said, “I’m encouraged by the sustained strength in the construction industry, and while we always experience a seasonal dip in construction during the winter months, Kansas remains ahead of most of the nation in this industry.”

The national unemployment rate for November is 9.8 percent.

The unemployment rate for Douglas County was 6 percent, an increase from 5.6 percent in October, and 5 percent in November 2009.