Unemployment claims see mid-month decrease

Initial claims for unemployment benefits in Louisiana dropped in the week ending Dec. 24. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said Thursday that there were 3,270 first-time claims during the period, down from the previous week’s total of 3,966.But the four-week moving average of first-time claims increased to 4,032 from 3,968. For the comparable week ending Dec. 25, 2010, the state reported 3,411 initial claims. Those still looking for work and eligible for unemployment payments filed for an additional 43,080 weeks of benefits last week, down from the comparable week of 2010 when the jobless filed for an additional 50,373 weeks of benefits.