New Jersey’s unemployment rate has risen again,although the rate of job losses seems to be slowing. The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development said Wednesday the jobless rate reached 8.8 percent in May, up from 8.4 percent in April. New Jersey’s jobless rate remains lower than the national average of 9.4 percent. State officials say 6,200 jobs were lost in May, marking the 16th straight monthly drop. However, they noted it was less than half the average monthly loss over the most recent six-month period. Job gains in May were concentrated in leisure and hospitality, while public sector employment rose by 400. The largest losses occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (5,800) and construction (4,900). (APP)