Alaska unemployment numbers have reached a new high. According to state labor officials the unemployment rate rose four-tenths of a percent in May, the highest its been since February 2005.

This increase raises the seasonally adjusted rate to 7-percent. Dan Robinson, the State Labor Economist, said there is a silver lining. According to Robinson, many economic sectors seem relatively soft, however this is due to hightened oil and gasoline prices. Therefore the state's oil and gas industry is booming.

Since 2007, 1,200 oil and gas industry careers have been created.

Although some job sectors have seen minor growth, constructions jobs are down by 700 from last year.

Last month's unemployed was tallied at 24,000, up from last year's 20,000.