WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to the lowest level in five years, evidence that employers are cutting fewer jobs and may step up hiring.
The Labor Department says weekly unemployment benefit applications dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 330,000. That's the fewest since January 2008. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, fell to 351,750. That's also the lowest in nearly five years.
The decline may reflect the government's difficulty adjusting its numbers to account for layoffs after the holiday shopping season. Layoffs spike in the second week of January and then plummet. The department seeks to adjust for those trends, but the figures can still be volatile.
But while layoffs are falling, hiring has still been modest in recent months.
Friday, May 17 2013 12:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:09:18 GMT
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:15 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:15:40 GMT
KROTZ SPRINGS, La. (AP) - Krotz Springs police were investigating a report that a substitute teacher tore a desk apart and assaulted a 13-year old boy.
KROTZ SPRINGS, La. (AP) - Krotz Springs police were investigating a report that a substitute teacher tore a desk apart and assaulted a 13-year old boy.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe's first Bayou Desiard Dragon Boat Festival is here."It's something that I saw in another town and I really wanted to bring it to Monroe. You know, we could not have done
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Dragon boat racing kicks off this Saturday and the proceeds are going to a good cause.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:24:29 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Jeane Gonzales has lived in the same house for nearly 40 years, but now she is facing a major problem. A leak is coming from her home's water meter.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Jeane Gonzales has lived in the same house for nearly 40 years, but now she is facing a major problem. A leak is coming from her home's water meter.
