Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Florida dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,523 in the week ending May 31, down from 7,154 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 247,000 last week, up 8,000 claims from 239,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. BCSO: Construction workers who died in crane collapse were pouring concrete at the time Want a creative and healthy option for dining? Brevard County just got a new spot. Detectives: Knife-wielding woman shot by boyfriend in Cocoa Twin engine aircraft pulled from Indian RIver

Kentucky saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 208.9%.

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