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 3,221 filed in the comparable week ending Sept. 24, 2011.
The four-week moving average, a less volatile measurement, increased to 4,884 from the previous week's 4,799. Hurricane Isaac caused a spike in initial claims earlier this month. Officials say initial claims activity appears to be returning to pre-storm levels.
Continued unemployment weeks claimed for the week ending Sept. 22 decreased to 32,768, compared to the previous week's 33,459. The four-week moving average for such claims decreased to 32,409 from the previous week's 32,655.
