First-time jobless claims up in Louisiana

First-time unemployment claims rose 11.4% in Louisiana—an increase blamed by state labor officials on the end of the school year and a resulting loss of work for some residents. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,936 initial benefit claims for the week ending Saturday. That’s up from 4,432 for the week ending May 21. The four-week moving average of claims increased to 4,331 from the previous week’s 4,086. For the comparable week ending May 29, 2010, the newly unemployed filed 5,166 claims. Those Louisianans still looking for work filed for an additional 43,495 weeks of benefits. That’s up slightly from 43,237 for the week ending May 21.