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Weekly applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose 5,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 320,000. That modest increase is still close to pre-recession levels and a sign the job market has improved after a winter slump.
Here are the states with the biggest increases and decreases in applications. The data is for the week that ended March 8, one week behind the national figures:
States with the biggest decreases:
New York: Down 17,548, due to fewer layoffs in transportation, warehousing, education and food services
Michigan: Down 1,971, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing
California: Down 1,262, no reason given
Connecticut: Down 1,079, no reason given
States with the biggest increases:
Pennsylvania: Up 1,961, due to more layoffs in food services, administrative services and construction
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