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• Louisiana unemployment rate rises

  May 17, 2013 11:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's unemployment rate rose in April for the fourth straight month, as fewer people reported having work. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says the labor force was bascically flat, but the number of people who said they had a job fell by nearly 5,000. The jobless... more »

• La. unemployment claims decrease

  May 10, 2013 11:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending May 4 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,466 from the previous week's total of 2,541. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Louisiana jobless rate rises along with payrolls

  April 19, 2013 2:23 PM

  Louisiana's unemployment rate rose in March for the third straight month, as fewer people reported having work. The increase contrasts with a separate survey showing employer payrolls rose in Louisiana. The jobless rate rose to 6.2 from 6 percent in February, though it remained below the 6.8 percent rate of... more »

• Louisiana unemployment rate at 6 percent

  March 29, 2013 11:14 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Federal unemployment statistics show Louisiana's unemployment rate edged up to 6 percent in February. It had been 5.9 percent in January. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that the seasonally adjusted jobless rate went up despite an increase in total jobs of 9,100. Friday's preliminary figures... more »

• Fed cites "pause" in growth, stands by stimulus

  January 30, 2013 1:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve says growth "paused" in recent months and reaffirmed its commitment to boost a sluggish U.S. economy by keeping borrowing cheap for the foreseeable future. The Fed took no new action after a two-day policy meeting. But it stood behind aggressive steps it launched in December... more »

• Report: States force jobless to pay needless fees

  January 29, 2013 5:22 AM

  WASHINGTON - A report from a consumer group says states are costing unemployed Americans millions in unnecessary fees for their benefit payments. The National Consumer Law Center says the jobless are getting hit by unnecessary fees on bank issued payment cards that states encourage or require recipients to use. The... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  January 4, 2013 3:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 29 fell from the previous week's total, mainly because the Christmas holidays cut a day from the work week. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,505 from the... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  December 14, 2012 4:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 8 fell from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 3,516 from the previous week's total of 4,048. The four-week moving average, which is a... more »

• Hope for college graduates Play Video

  December 13, 2012 5:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Thousands of students from LSU and Southern Univeristy will be walking across the stage Friday to receive their diplomas. As those students make the walk across stage things are looking good for them on the other side. In Novermber, the U.S. economy added over 100,000 jobs,... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  December 7, 2012 6:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Dec. 1 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,048 from the previous week's total of 2,705. The department said similar spikes have occurred... more »

• US economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct.

  December 7, 2012 9:05 AM

  WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures. The Labor Department report offered a mixed picture for the economy.... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 30, 2012 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov. 24 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,705 from the previous week's total of 2,875. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Report: Extending jobless benefits creates jobs

  November 29, 2012 3:46 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Congressional Budget Office says extending the current level of long-term unemployment benefits for another year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy. A report from the nonpartisan office estimates that preserving jobless benefits would cost the government $30 billion. But it would also lead to more spending... more »

• Weekly unemployment insurance claims drop

  November 2, 2012 6:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Oct. 27 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 2,568 from the previous week's total of 2,891. For the comparable week a year earlier,... more »

• Romney seizes on uptick in unemployment rate

  November 2, 2012 9:21 AM

  NORFOLK, Va. - Mitt Romney says the one-tenth-of-a-point increase in the unemployment rate to 7.9 percent is, quote, "a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill." The Republican presidential nominee says voters will decide Tuesday between what he calls stagnation and prosperity. He made the... more »

• Unemployment rates fall in 95 pct. of US cities

  October 30, 2012 4:14 PM

  WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates fell in nearly all large US cities in September from August, a sign that recent jobs gains have been widespread. The Labor Department says rates declined in 355 of the 372 metro areas, the most since April. The report also shows that nearly half of cities... more »

• Unemployment rates fall in 7 US swing states

  October 19, 2012 10:23 AM

  WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates fell or held steady last month in nine key swing states at the center of this year's presidential election. Rates dropped in Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada and North Carolina. They unchanged in New Hampshire and Virginia. The declines could help President Barack Obama at... more »

• Romney blasts Obama despite drop in unemployment

  October 5, 2012 2:44 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says a drop in the nation's unemployment rate to 7.8 percent "is not what a real recovery looks like." The former Massachusetts governor responded to the September jobs report out Friday by arguing that Obama has a failed record on the economy.... more »

• Unemployment falls in nearly 90 percent of US cities

  October 3, 2012 2:56 PM

  WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates fell in nearly 90 percent of large U.S. metro areas in August, mainly because more people gave up looking for work. The Labor Department says unemployment rates dropped in 329 large cities, the most in four months. Rates rose in 24 cities and were unchanged... more »

• Weekly unemployment claims fall

  September 28, 2012 6:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana fell for the week ending Sept. 22. Figures released Friday show initial claims decreased to 3,294 from the previous week's total of 4,873. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the declines were spread throughout many industries. The claims were above the... more »

• Louisiana jobless rate dips as labor force shrinks

  September 21, 2012 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Unemployment ticked down in Louisiana in August as some people left the labor force. The state's jobless rate fell to 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in July but above the 7.3 percent unemployment rate of August 2011. Louisiana's jobless rate never rose as high as... more »

• Isaac causes spike in initial jobless claims

  September 14, 2012 4:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Hurricane Isaac caused a spike in initial claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Sept. 8. Figures released Friday show initial claims increased to 9,023 from 2,345. That's the most initial claims filed in one week since Hurricanes Gustav and Ike impacted Louisiana in... more »

• Romney: Jobs report 'hammer blow' to middle-class

  August 3, 2012 11:21 AM

  NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Mitt Romney says the latest unemployment uptick is "another hammer blow to the struggling middle-class families of America." The Labor Department said Friday the country saw unemployment rise from 8.2 percent in June to 8.3 percent in July. Romney says that is "not just statistics" and... more »

• Obama: Too many people still looking for work

  August 3, 2012 11:20 AM

  WASHINGTON- President Barack Obama says new jobs figures released Friday show there are too many people looking for work. He says "we've got more work to do on their behalf." The president is urging Congress to pass a tax cut extension for families making less than $250,000 a year. He... more »

• Louisiana revamps unemployment system Play Video

  August 1, 2012 10:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People looking for work could have an easier time of getting noticed, and the state could have a new way of cutting down unemployment costs. Louisiana is the first state with new technology dubbed "HIRE", or Helping Individuals Reach Employment, to connect employers to the unemployed.... more »

• Claims for unemployment benefits fall

  July 27, 2012 10:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana for the week ending July 21 fell from the previous week's total. State labor department figures released Friday show initial claims fell to 3,080 from the previous week's total of 3,675. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims decrease

  July 6, 2012 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana for the week ending June 30 decreased from the previous week's total. State labor department figures released Friday show initial claims fell to 3,456 from the previous week's total of 3,633. The figure was lower than it was for... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims increase

  June 15, 2012 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending June 9 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,272 from the previous week's total of 4,177. The figure was below what it was... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims decrease

  June 8, 2012 10:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending June 2 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims decreased to 4,177 from the previous week's total of 4,285. The figure was lower than it was... more »

• Jobless figures disappoint

  April 26, 2012 11:30 AM

  WASHINGTON- Economists say the jobs picture might not be as bad as it sounds, despite today's news that the number of people applying for unemployment benefits is stuck near a three-month high. The Labor Department says applications for unemployment aid dipped by about 1,000 last week, less than economists expected.... more »

• US unemployment aid applications decline slightly

  April 19, 2012 8:25 AM

  WASHINGTON - The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dipped last week but remained higher than it's been in recent weeks. The slight rise in applications in the past few weeks could signal that the gains in the job market are uneven. The Labor Department says weekly applications declined... more »

• Louisiana unemployment rate

  April 9, 2012 5:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana has registered a slight increase in the number of newly unemployed seeking jobless payments. The state Workforce Commission says there were 2,945 initial claims for the week ending March 31 - up from the previous week's 2,873. For the comparable week ending April 2, 2011, the... more »

• US weekly unemployment aid applications decline

  March 29, 2012 8:44 AM

  WASHINGTON - The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dropped last week, the latest evidence that the job market is strengthening. The Labor Department says weekly unemployment benefit applications fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000. That's the smallest number of applicants since April 2008. The four-week average, a... more »

• US weekly unemployment aid applications decline

  March 29, 2012 8:24 AM

  WASHINGTON - The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dropped last week, the latest evidence that the job market is strengthening. The Labor Department says weekly unemployment benefit applications fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 359,000. That's the smallest number of applicants since April 2008. The four-week average, a... more »

• Man asks Rep. Cassidy to extended unemployment Play Video

  December 8, 2011 5:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A Baton Rouge man pleads to Congressman Bill Cassidy to help save federal unemployment benefits. 58-year-old Dudley Davis showed up at Cassidy's Baton Rouge office this morning with a letter in hand. Cassidy was in Washington, D.C. at the time, but Davis' message is to persuade Congress... more »

• Unemployment insurance claims down

  November 18, 2011 3:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Nov.12 decreased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims dropped to 3,321 from the previous week's total of 3,678. The figure was lower than it was... more »

• La. unemployment rate lowest since April 2010

  October 26, 2011 2:12 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana's employment picture brightened in September as the state registered its lowest unemployment rate since April 2010. The state Workforce Commission reported Wednesday that Louisiana had 41,300 more non-farm jobs last month than in September 2010. The number also represented an increase compared to August... more »

• La. initial jobless claims remain steady

  October 7, 2011 4:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment benefits remained steady last week in Louisiana. However, the Louisiana Workforce Commission said Friday the number of additional benefit weeks requested by those looking for work fell to its lowest level in 2011. There were 3,236 initial jobless claims for the... more »

• Inital jobless claims fall in Louisiana

  September 30, 2011 12:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - First-time claims for unemployment payments dropped 9.7 percent last week in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 3,221 initial claims for the week end Sept. 24 - down from the previous week's total of 3,567. For the comparable week that ended Sept.... more »

• Jobless claims rise in Louisiana

  September 23, 2011 10:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for jobless benefits jumped 9.6 percent last week in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 3,567 initial unemployment filings for the week ending Sept. 17. That's up from the previous week's total of 3,256. For the comparable week ending Sept. 18,... more »

• La. unemployment-check error rate high

  September 19, 2011 10:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - More than four in 10 unemployment checks in Louisiana were issued improperly because they failed to meet the state's own standards. That's according to a federal report issued last week. The U.S. Labor Department identified over $497 million in unemployment "overpayments" from 2009 to 2011, a... more »

• La. unemployment rate drops in August

  September 16, 2011 2:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La.- Louisiana's unemployment rate in August was 7.2 percent, down from July's rate of 7.6, according to seasonally adjusted figures compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says August's unemployment rate is the state's lowest this year and marks the third straight... more »

• Louisiana Workforce at a Glance

  September 13, 2011 5:10 PM

  Click here to read the Louisiana Workforce Commission's report on employment and unemployment rates for July 2011. more »

• Louisiana 2nd worst in poverty

  September 13, 2011 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - According to a 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report 21.6 percent of Louisianians live in poverty. Only Mississippi fares worse at 22.7 percent. The nation's poverty rate rose from 11.3 percent in 2000 to 15.1 percent in 2010 up from 14.3 percent the year before. Even... more »

• La. 1 of 9 states to see jobless rate dip

  August 19, 2011 10:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's unemployment rate for July was 7.6 percent - the same as July 2010 and down slightly from 7.8 percent in June - according to seasonally adjusted figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last month, the number of people listed as unemployed fell to... more »

• Louisiana 1st-time jobless claims increase

  August 12, 2011 10:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Louisiana for the week ending Aug. 6 increased from the previous week's total. The state labor department figures released Friday show the initial claims increased to 4,033 from the previous week's total of 3,857. The figure was lower than it... more »

• UK police arrest over 200 as riots continue

  August 8, 2011 1:05 PM

  LONDON - British Home Secretary Theresa May says the number of people arrested in rioting in London has reached 215. May says 27 people have been charged so far in the unrest and looting that has stretched over three days. Police said 35 police officers were injured. ... more »

• Job growth slows a bit in Louisiana

  July 27, 2011 2:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Annual job growth in Louisiana slowed a bit in June. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 11,600 more non-farm jobs last month than in June 2010. In May, the state had 15,000 more non-farm jobs than in May 2010. The figures are not adjusted for... more »

• White: Poverty and unemployment driving crime in BR

  June 16, 2011 10:13 AM

  Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White has been on the job less than a month and he's already tackling crime, meeting the community and getting to know his new department. He stopped by 2une In for his first interview since taking over to talk about his plans to combat... more »

• April job growth picks up in Louisiana

  May 25, 2011 1:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The rate of job growth picked up in Louisiana in April after sagging a bit in March. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state had 14,500 more non-farm jobs in April than in April 2010. That follows a March-to-March gain of 9,200 jobs and a February-to-February... more »

• April jobless rate unchanged in Louisiana

  May 20, 2011 12:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The federal Labor Department says Louisiana added 13,100 non-farm jobs in April. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the jobless rate remained unchanged at 8.1 percent from March. The number of those officially listed as unemployed dropped to 167,900 in April from 168,700 in March. There also... more »

• La. first-time jobless claims jump 11 percent

  March 11, 2011 3:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time jobless claims in Louisiana took an 11 percent jump last week. The Louisiana Workforce Agency says there were 3,543 initial claims from the newly unemployed during the week ending March 5. The state tallied 3,196 first-time claims the previous week. The four-week moving average... more »

• State jobless claims largely stable

  March 4, 2011 3:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for unemployment payments were almost unchanged last week in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 3,196 initial claims for the week ending Feb. 26. The state took in 3,167 initial claims the previous week. For the comparable week ending Feb. 27,... more »

• First-time jobless claims down in Louisiana

  February 7, 2011 2:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for jobless benefits in Louisiana decreased for the week ending Jan. 29. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 3,872 initial unemployment filings for the week, down from the previous week's total of 3,934. The four-week moving average of initial claims increased to 4,827 from... more »

• La. gains more than 26,000 non-farm jobs in 2010

  January 25, 2011 2:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana labor officials say the state added 26,300 non-farm jobs in 2010. Figures from the state Workforce Commission show, though, that Louisiana still had 42,200 fewer jobs last month than in December 2008 - three months after the national economic meltdown began. Louisiana lost 900... more »

• First-time jobless claims down in Louisiana

  January 21, 2011 12:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for jobless benefits in Louisiana decreased for the week ending Jan. 15. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,999 initial unemployment filings for the week, down from the previous week's total of 6,503. The four-week moving average of initial claims increased to 4,606 from... more »

• First-time jobless claims jump in Louisiana

  January 14, 2011 2:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for jobless benefits in Louisiana jumped considerably after the holidays. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 6,503 initial unemployment filings for the week ending Jan. 8 - up from the previous week's total of 3,512. The commission attributed the jump to the end of... more »

• GOP: Debt burden hinders long-term growth

  January 8, 2011 10:44 AM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans are spotlighting steps being taken by the new GOP House majority, including trimming members' operating budgets and moving to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health care law. The GOP contends the law extending coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans is a budget-busting job-killer. In the weekly GOP... more »

• Obama: Clear trend of improving economy

  January 8, 2011 10:42 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is talking up the latest economic news as a clear trend toward an improving economy. The president used his weekly radio and Internet address today to press for bipartisan action in the newly divided Congress on measures to spur growth. He presented the December jobs... more »

• Initial jobless claims edge up

  December 28, 2010 3:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana labor officials say first-time claims for jobless benefits edged up at mid-month. The state Workforce Commission says that for the week ending Dec. 18, there were 4,262 initial claims in Louisiana. The previous week saw 4,231 filings. The four-week moving average of initial claims increased to... more »

• Louisiana job growth rises in November

  December 21, 2010 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's employment growth rose a bit last month as the state recorded 22,800 more non-farm jobs than in November 2009, the state Workforce Commission announced Tuesday. The state's net gain of 22,800 jobs for the year, on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, brings the total number... more »

• Jobless rate up in Louisiana

  December 17, 2010 2:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana labor officials say first-time claims for jobless benefits returned to their pre-Thanksgiving levels last week. The state Workforce Commission says that for the week ending Dec. 11, there were 4,231 initial claims in Louisiana. The previous week saw 5,170 filings following the short holiday week. The... more »

• Obama defends tax deal, says best for the nation

  December 7, 2010 1:43 PM

  WASHINGTON - Facing a Democratic rebellion, President Barack Obama on Tuesday staunchly defended his decision to compromise with Republicans and temporarily extend about-to-expire tax cuts for all Americans. "There are some who would have preferred a protracted political fight," the president said at a White House news conference a day... more »

• Thrift stores, charities helping some through recession

  December 6, 2010 9:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People in Baton Rouge are finding ways to make it through the country's recession with thrift stores and help from area charities. St. Vincent de Paul says it's seen an increase in customers at it's stores, but also at meal times and shelters. Catholic Charities says... more »

• Economic struggle showing in Baton Rouge

  December 6, 2010 3:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On the heels of the latest update on the country's economic health, Baton Rouge charities say they are heavily involved in helping the community stay afloat. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake says unemployment rates are stagnant, and may be for five more years. Volunteers with... more »

• First-time jobless claims lagely unchanged

  November 19, 2010 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - First-time claims for jobless benefits remained mostly unchanged last week in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,041 initial filings for unemployment payments for the week ending Nov. 13. That's up just a tad from 3,974 the previous week. The four-week moving average of first-time... more »

• House Democrats keep Nancy Pelosi as their leader

  November 17, 2010 1:29 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Democrats have re-elected Nancy Pelosi as their leader in the next Congress. The closed-door vote Wednesday will let the California congresswoman shift from House speaker to minority leader in January, despite concerns by some Democrats that the party needs new leadership after suffering huge midterm election... more »

• People waiting weeks for unemployment benefits

  November 15, 2010 10:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Some people have waited months, for benefits, even though the state says, it's working efficiently. For many people who've been laid of, unemployment benefits become a life-line. News 2 talked to one woman who’s been waiting 12 weeks for unemployment benefits since being laid off.... more »

• Job openings drop sharply in September

  November 9, 2010 10:14 AM

  WASHINGTON - Job openings dropped sharply in September, a sign that hiring is likely to remains weak over the next several months. The Labor Department said Tuesday that employers advertised 2.9 million jobs at the end of September. That's a drop of 163,000, or 5.3 percent from the previous... more »

• Unemployment claims drop sharply

  October 28, 2010 9:15 AM

  Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the second drop in a row and a hopeful sign the job market could be improving. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits dropped by 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 434,000 in the week that ended Oct. 33. ... more »

• Baton Rouge unemployment down, entire state gains jobs

  October 27, 2010 12:02 PM

  State labor officials say Louisiana gained 18,100 non-farm jobs from September 2009 to September 2010. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said Wednesday that over the past 12 months, 20,600 jobs have been added to the service sector. The goods-producing sector - including petroleum, manufacturing and construction - has been reduced by... more »

• State jobless rate jumps to 7.6 percent in August

  September 21, 2010 9:46 AM

  Louisiana's unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent in August from 7.2 percent in July. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says that Louisiana was one of 27 states that recorded an increase last month, on a seasonally adjusted basis. The agency says there were 8,600 more people listed as unemployed... more »

• Economic panel says recession ended in June 2009

  September 20, 2010 10:15 AM

  The longest recession the country has endured since World War II ended in June 2009, according to a group that dates the beginning and end of recessions. The National Bureau of Economic Research, a panel of academic economists based in Cambridge, Mass., says the recession lasted 18 months. It... more »

• Unemployment dips slightly in Louisiana last week

  September 10, 2010 2:20 PM

  First-time claims for unemployment payments dropped about 1 percent last week in Louisiana. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,083 initial claims for the week ending Sept. 4. That's down from the previous week's tally of 4,120. The four-week moving average of first-time claims also fell last week to... more »

• Obama: job numbers 'positive', but not enough

  September 3, 2010 11:08 AM

  President Barack Obama says that a new jobs report showing private sector growth in August is positive but more needs to be done for the economy. He renewed his call Friday for the Senate to pass a bill that would increase lending and reduce taxes for small businesses. Obama said... more »

• LA lagging in petroleum, manufacturing jobs

  August 31, 2010 11:39 AM

  Although part of the Louisiana employment job picture closely mirrors the stumbling national economy, the state's manufacturing and petroleum sectors are sharply lagging. That's according to a comparison of state and national job figures. In similarity to the national economy, Louisiana is adding post-meltdown jobs in the largest numbers in... more »

• First-time jobless claims rise 4 percent in LA

  August 27, 2010 2:38 PM

  Louisiana recorded a four percent increase in first-time claims for unemployment benefits last week. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 4,140 initial claims for the week ending August 21st. That's up from the previous week's total of 3,987. For the comparable week ending Aug. 22, 2009, there were 4,411... more »

• LA unemployment rises after seasonal job losses

  August 24, 2010 5:54 PM

  State labor officials say Louisiana lost 9,900 jobs last month, due mostly to the seasonal layoffs of education employees and the end of work for temporary Census workers. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state - on a non-seasonally adjusted basis - had 20,100 more non-farm jobs last month than... more »

• Professor: Moratorium not affecting jobs as predicted

  August 19, 2010 10:23 PM

  Oil workers are not lining up to file for unemployment. Only 600 claims have come in so far, according to the state. A professor at LSU said that's far below the thousands predicted, and it's for a reason. "There are a number of mitigating circumstances out there that have... more »

• Jobless claims rise to highest level in 9 months

  August 19, 2010 8:45 AM

  New applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November, a sign that employers are cutting jobs again as the recovery slows. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits rose by 12,000 last week to 500,000, the fourth increase in... more »

• Initial jobless claims drop to 457,000

  July 29, 2010 8:38 AM

  New jobless claims fell last week for the third time in four week but remain elevated. The Labor Department said first-time claims for unemployment insurance dropped by 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000. Analysts surveyed by Thomas Reuters head expected a smaller drop. Claims have fluctuated this... more »

• La. jobless rate creeps up despite new jobs

  July 20, 2010 9:57 AM

  Louisiana's unemployment rate crept up in June to 7 percent despite the addition of 5,800 non-farm jobs. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that Louisiana had the fourth-largest non-farm employment increase among the states last month - behind Texas, Kentucky and Arkansas. At the same time, the... more »

• New senator's vote expected to enact unemployment extension

  July 20, 2010 9:29 AM

  If all goes as expected in the Senate, about 2.5 million people will soon receive jobless benefits retroactively. Millions of others will keep getting paid instead of being dropped. Senate Democrats expect to get the 60 votes needed to break a Republican filibuster. The vote is scheduled for shortly after... more »

• Claims for jobless benefits drop sharply

  July 15, 2010 8:07 AM

  New applications for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week as General Motors and other manufacturers skipped their usual summer shutdowns. The Labor Department said that new claims dropped by 29,000 to 429,000, the lowest level since August 2008. An analyst said the decline resulted from fewer layoffs by... more »

• Audit cites flaws in interstate jobless payments

  June 28, 2010 5:47 PM

  A legislative audit shows the state labor department paid more than $21 million in unemployment benefits but never got the money back from Louisiana employers. The audit was conducted last year. The money went to people who worked in Louisiana then moved to another state and filed for unemployment... more »

• Louisiana jobless rate rises in May

  June 18, 2010 10:33 AM

  Louisiana's unemployment rate rose to 6.9 percent in May. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday, at the same time, the state added 11,100 jobs last month, one of the best numbers on a percentage basis in the United States. The April unemployment rate - on a... more »

• Amid deficit worries, Dems trim unemployment bill

  June 16, 2010 7:24 AM

  Faced with a losing showdown vote Wednesday, Senate Democrats trying to extend unemployment benefits and help for doctors facing Medicare payment cuts are scaling back a catchall tax and spending bill. Anxiety over record budget deficits is fueling the moves, which include rolling back last year's $25 a week increase... more »

• Louisiana jobless claims up

  June 4, 2010 11:35 AM

  First-time unemployment claims in Louisiana rose 11.2 percent last week. The Louisiana Workforce Commission blames the jump on a typical seasonal pattern involving educational services, health care and social assistance. The agency says there were 5,166 initial claims for benefits for the week ending May 29 - up from... more »

• Jobless claims fall for second straight week

  June 3, 2010 8:42 AM

  New claims for unemployment insurance fell for the second straight week, fresh evidence the job market is slowly improving. Still, the declines come after a sharp increase three weeks ago, and claims remain at elevated levels. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits dropped last week... more »

• Louisiana has slight increase in jobless claims

  May 28, 2010 1:29 PM

  Louisiana experienced a slight increase in the number of newly unemployed seeking jobless benefits last week. The Louisiana Workforce Commission reported 4,645 first-time claims for the week ending May 22, up from the previous week's 4,584. For the comparable week ending May 23, 2009, there were 4,944 initial... more »

• April jobless numbers

  May 6, 2010 8:43 PM

  We'll soon know how the nation's jobless rate fared in April. The U.S. Labor Department releases it report Friday, and analysts expect unemployment to remain at 9.7 percent, with about 200,000 new jobs added. more »

• Oil Spill: Plaquemines Parish update

  May 5, 2010 12:41 PM

  Luke Margolis is in Plaquemines Parish today. (Port Sulphur) Catholic Charities and Plaquemines Parish Government have teamed up to help unemployed fishermen as well as those volunteering their time to deploy boom in the Gulf. In the same area, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has their mobile unit deployed to... more »