Unemployment Claims Up, But Slowing

    ATLANTA (AP) - First-time claims for unemployment insurance in
Georgia continued to increase in May, though at a slower rate.
    Georgia Department of Labor officials Thursday reported a 68
percent increase in claims compared to the year-ago period. Last
month, claims were up 63.4 percent from April 2008, down from a
March year-over-year increase of 126.3 percent.
    Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the numbers suggest the
recession could be easing across the state. Georgia also recently
received $220.3 million in federal money for its unemployment
insurance trust fund.
    But modest gains are tempered by data showing the fund lost some
$369 million the first quarter of 2009, paying out $152 million in
May alone.
    Thurmond says fewer Georgians are losing their jobs, but the
unemployed are drawing benefits for longer.