RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased slightly in July, bringing out the politicians who blame each other for the fact that close to half a million people in the state don’t have jobs.

The rate increased to 9.6 percent in July from 9.4 percent in June, where it had been steady for three months. It’s the first increase since July of last year and ties North Carolina with South Carolina for the 5th-highest unemployment rate in the country.