WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose 4,000 to 317,000 last week.
The slight increase keeps jobless aid near its pre-recession levels, a sign that workers are dealing
with fewer layoffs.
Here are the states with the biggest decreases in applications, according to the Labor Department. The
data is for the week that ended May 31, one week behind the national figures.
No state reported an increase in applications of more than 1,000.
States with the biggest decreases:
California: Down 1,944, no reason given
New Jersey: Down 1,654, due to fewer layoffs in administrative services, waste management, manufacturing,
trade, lodging and food services
Pennsylvania: Down 1,416, due to fewer layoffs in food services and manufacturing
Massachusetts: Down 1,152, due to fewer layoffs in lodging, food services, trade and professional
services
North Carolina: Down 1,037, no reason given