Unemployment claims rise in 32 U.S. states with Massachusetts seeing largest increase

New unemployment data shows significant changes in claims across U.S. states since last year. While 32 states reported increases, 18 states saw decreases. Massachusetts had the highest rise at 68.71%, while Ohio experienced the largest drop at 50.25%. Alaska reported the highest unemployment claims per population, with 281 claims per 100,000 people. Michigan and California followed with 233 and 221 claims, respectively. New Hampshire and Delaware had the lowest claims, with 38 and 43 per 100,000. The average change in unemployment claims across all states was 3.98%. A recent jobs report indicated a U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%, with only 12,000 new jobs added, significantly below expectations.