Topeka ? Unemployment was down slightly in Kansas in November to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.5 percent, down from 6.7 percent in October and 6.9 percent in November 2010.

The Kansas Department of Labor report released Tuesday said the economy showed some signs of improvement, adding 5,000 new nonfarm jobs over the past month. The state also gained 4,500 private sector jobs in November.

Labor Secretary Karin Brownlee described the unemployment figures and work force increases as “positive news.”

Labor Department economist Tyler Tenbrink said in a statement that more than 15,000 people joined the Kansas work force in the last three months, although some of the jobs are seasonal.