(WSB Radio)  First time jobless claims are up, again, in Georgia.

The Georgia Department of Labor says 88,756 laid-off workers filed first time claims for unemployment insurance in June.  That's an increase of almost 95% from June of 2008.

In Georgia cities, the numbers are even worse.

The number of people in metro Atlanta filing for first time claims was up 104% from a year ago.  And that's not even close to being the largest increase.

The metropolitan areas with the greatest increases are Rome, up 181%; Gainesville, up 173%; and Athens, which posted an increase of 163%.

The areas with the smallest increase in claims are Dalton, up 48%; Albany, up 66%; and Savannah, up 69%.

"Rising unemployment continues to plague local economies throughout North Georgia," says State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.  "Fortunately, lay-offs in the hard-hit Dalton area appear to be moderating, although the recession-resistant Athens labor market experienced an unusually sharp increase in first-time jobless claims."