Beneficial trend: Initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped 14% in Louisiana last week. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,103 first-time claims during the week ending Dec. 10. That’s down from the previous week’s total of 4,789. The four-week moving average of first-time claims increased to 4,116 from 3,921. For the comparable week ending Dec. 11, 2010, the state reported 4,231 initial claims. Those still looking for work and eligible for unemployment payments filed for an additional 42,226 weeks of benefits last week. That’s down from the comparable week of 2010 when jobless persons filed for an additional 50,174 weeks of benefits.
See Lee Michaels: Wristbands commemorating the LSU Tigers’ undefeated season is now on sale for $5 each at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry while supplies last. All sales proceeds will benefit the university’s marching band. The officially licensed silicone bracelets are purple with gold lettering, reading “Geaux Tigers 2011” and “Don’t Stop Believing” on the outer rim, and “The Golden Band from Tigerland” on the inside.
La. rigs more active: The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 32 this week to 2,019. Houston-based drilling product provider Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,196 rigs were exploring for oil and 818 for natural gas. Five were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, Baker Hughes reported 1,709 active rigs. Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas added 16 rigs; Louisiana added five; Alaska, North Dakota and Oklahoma each increased by three; and Arkansas added one. California, Colorado and New Mexico each lost one rig; Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming were unchanged. The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. A low of 488 was recorded in 1999.
