PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island is now tied with Nevada for having the highest unemployment rate in the U.S.

The state Department of Labor and Training this week reported a 10.2 percent jobless rate for December. That was a drop of two-tenths of one percentage point from the previous month.

But Nevada's rate also fell in December to 10.2 percent — a drop of six-tenths of a point.

For months Rhode Island had had the second highest rate behind Nevada. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the December statistics Friday for all 50 states.

The latest Rhode Island labor report showed some encouraging economic signs, including in job creation. Gov. Lincoln Chafee said in his state-of-the-state address this week the economy is slowing turning around, but more needs to be done.