Nineteen (19) Inches Of Snow Overnight North Of Minneapolis; Jobless Report: First Time Claims Rise A Whole Lot Less Than Expected

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose less than expected in the April 12 week, increasing by 2,000 to 304,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

The forecast for this week's report was for a claims level of 315,000, which would have been an increase of 15,000 from the previously reported 300,000 level. Last week's figure was revised up to 302,000.

The Labor Department said there were no special factors in this week's report.

But get this:

The initial claims seasonally adjusted 4-week moving average fell 4,750 to 312,000 in the April 12 week, which is the lowest since the October 6, 2007 week when the 4-week moving average was 302,000.

A lot of folks returning to work, increasing gasoline demand.

The Senate wants to reinstate uninsured benefits for long-term unemployed. Whatever.

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Global Warming Climate Change Extreme Weather Ice Age Now

AllVoices is reporting:

Minnesotans to the north and west of the Twin Cities are waking up Thursday to snowfall totals in the high double digits. The 19 inches that fell in Isanti, a small community 40 miles north of the metro, appears to be the largest.