The number of laid-off workers receiving jobless benefits fell to a four-year low last week. For just last week, the number of newly laid off workers applying for benefits fell by a steeper-than-expected 4,000 from the previous week, to 315,000, the lowest level for new claims since the first week in August. Analysts said both the drop in total benefits being paid and the decline in new benefit applications pointed to an economy that was continuing to create jobs.
See "Drop in Jobless Benefits", Associated Press, The New York Times, August 25, 2005