LOCAL : Orange County Unemployment Up

Orange County’s unemployment rate rose slightly in January to 3% from 2.4% in December, the state Employment Development Department reported today. The rate continues to rank as one of the lowest in the state, with only Alpine and San Mateo counties boasting lower numbers. About 41,400 people were out of work in the county in January, an increase of 7,800 since December, state analyst Connie Lau said. Unemployment normally increases in January because temporary workers hired to work the holidays in the retail, tourism and restaurant industries are laid off.