Category: jobless

US Weekly Jobless Claims Drop Sharply; Second-Quarter GDP Growth Unrevised

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week as layoffs subsided, with companies desperate for workers to meet surging demand unleashed by a rapidly reopening economy. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits totaled a seasonally adjusted 406,000 for the week ended May 22, compared to 478,000 in…


US Jobless Claims Fall Again as Some States End Federal Aid

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department coincides with moves by nearly all the nation’s Republican governors to cut…


States Push Jobless From Virus Recession to Return to Work

STOWE, Vt.—Eduardo Rovetto is hoping the state of Vermont’s reinstated requirement that people who are collecting unemployment benefits must seek work to qualify will help him hire enough staff for his restaurant in the resort town of Stowe. After more than a year of coronavirus restrictions on his business, Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge, he’s expecting…


US Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to New One-Year Low

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week dropped to a fresh one-year low, suggesting layoffs were subsiding and strengthening expectations for job growth in April as a re-opening economy unleashes pent-up demand. But the labor market recovery has a long way to go, with the report from the Labor Department…


US Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to New 1-Year Low

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week dropped to a fresh one-year low, suggesting layoffs were subsiding and strengthening expectations for job growth in April as a re-opening economy unleashes pent-up demand. But the labor market recovery has a long way to go, with the report from the Labor Department…


US Jobless Claims Fall to 684,000, Fewest Since Pandemic

WASHINGTON—The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign that the economy is improving. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell from 781,000 the week before. It is the first time that weekly applications for…


US Jobless Claims Fall to 684,000, Fewest Since Pandemic Began

WASHINGTON—The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign that the economy is improving. The March 25 report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell from 781,000 the week before. It’s the first time that weekly applications…


Nothing Says ‘America Is Back’ Like Taking Someone’s Job Away

Commentary Marty Jorgensen likes to fish for walleye, hunt for elk and deer, and give a pheasant a good chase every once in a while. He doesn’t just dabble in the great outdoors; he is the great outdoors. The 61-year-old Havre, Montana, native who grew up on a farming ranch said he cannot do any…


US Weekly Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected

WASHINGTON—Fewer Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week amid falling COVID-19 infections, but the near-term outlook for the labor market is unclear after winter storms wreaked havoc in the South region in the middle of this month. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits totaled a seasonally adjusted 730,000 for the week ended Feb….


US Jobless Claims Fall Slightly to 793,000 With Layoffs High

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week to 793,000, evidence that job cuts remain high despite a substantial decline in new confirmed viral infections. Last week’s total declined from 812,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. That figure was revised higher from the previously reported 779,000. The numbers point to…