New jobless claims nationwide fall more than expected

WASHINGTON - New jobless claims fell more than expected last week, while those continuing to receive unemployment insurance set a record for the 11th straight week.

The Labor Department says the tally of initial jobless claims fell to a seasonally adjusted 654,000, down from a revised 674,000 the previous week. Analysts expected claims to drop to 660,000.

In Georgia, though, the number increased 126 percent over a year ago, with Gainesville leading the way. (See separate story.)

But the total number of laid-off Americans receiving unemployment rose to 5.84 million, from 5.75 million, the most on records dating from 1967 and higher than analysts expected.

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