New requests for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, August 16 to August 20, reversing three weeks of increases. Claims fell by 31,000 to 473,000, the Labor Department said.
The drop is a hopeful sign after several negative economic indicators earlier in the week. Still, claims are much higher than they would be in a healthy economy.
Here’s a look at the states with the biggest changes in initial jobless claims, and some of the reasons for the shifts. The state data is for the week ending Aug. 14, one week behind the nationwide figures.
States reporting the largest decreases in claims:
California: Down 5,275, due to fewer layoffs in the service and manufacturing industries
Indiana: Down 2,209
Pennsylvannia: Down 2,074, due to fewer layoffs in the industrial machinery, food and service industries
Ohio: Down 1,694
Kentucky: Down 1,255
State reporting the largest increase in claims:
Wisconsin: Up 1,004, due to layoffs in the construction, trade and manufacturing industries.
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