Unemployment claims in Massachusetts declined last week

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,221 in the week ending September 14, down from 7,276 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 219,000 last week, down 12,000 claims from 231,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Alaska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 46.1%. Nebraska, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 44.2%.