HARRISBURG — A new report says jobs in Pennsylvania were harder to find in December than they have been in more than a decade.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Thursday that statewide unemployment jumped to 8.9 percent last month.

The October rate also was 8.9 percent, the highest level in 25 years, before dipping to 8.5 percent in November.

The department says employers eliminated about 8,100 jobs in December, leaving Pennsylvania with fewer than 5.6 million jobs — the lowest level since September 1999.

The state's unemployment rate is below the national average of 10 percent. Among the 10 most populous states, only Texas' rate is lower.

SAN FRANCISCO — Google appears to have regained its financial stride after wobbling through most of 2009.The Internet search leader strutted its stuff in the fourth quarter, producing a profit that blew past analyst estimates while revenue growth accelerated from a leisurely stroll to a quickening gallop.The results released late Thursday were driven by an upturn in Internet advertising, the main source of Google's income. More marketing generally coincides with an improving economy, or at least a feeling that things are getting better.