First-time La. jobless claims down

First-time claims for jobless benefits fell 6.5% in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says 3,857 newly unemployed people made initial claims during the week ending Saturday. That’s down from 4,123 for the week ending July 23. For the comparable week ending July 31, 2010, the state recorded 4,109 initial claims. The four-week moving average of initial claims decreased to 4,108 from the previous week’s average of 4,186. Those still looking for work filed for an additional 48,216 weeks of benefits for the week ending Saturday. That’s down from 48,948 for the week ending July 23. For the comparable week a year ago, there were filings for an additional 58,952 weeks.