ECONOMY
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Unemployment Benefit Claims Rise: The number of first-time claims for jobless benefits jumped by 24,000 last week, but some analysts said the increase was due to problems in adjusting for seasonal variations. New applications totaled 352,000 during the week ended July 17, up from a revised 328,000 a week earlier, the Labor Department reported. Bucking the trend, California’s claims declined by 9,884--the largest drop in the nation.
