State leads nation in increase in unemployment applications

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 367,000, a level consistent with only modest hiring.

The state data are for the week ended Sept. 22, one week behind the national data. States with the biggest increases are:

• Mississippi: Up 3,314, due to people unable to work because of Hurricane Isaac

• Ohio: Up 1,975, due to layoffs in the auto industry

• Michigan, up 1,179, no reason given

States with the biggest decreases are:

• California: Down 13,527, due to fewer layoffs in service industries

• New York: Down 3,773, due to fewer layoffs in the construction, manufacturing and educational service industries

• North Carolina: Down 2,198, due to fewer layoffs in construction and manufacturing

• Indiana: Down 2,160, no reason given

• Virginia: Down 1,969, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing

• South Carolina: Down 1,712, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing