Layoffs ease; total jobless numbers rise (Rockford Register Star)

WASHINGTON — The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment insurance fell last week, the government said today, fresh evidence that layoffs are easing. The tally of people continuing to claim benefits rose, however, by 69,000 to 6.3 million after dropping for three straight weeks. AP INTERACTIVES Track county, state, national unemployment rates MORE JOBS NEWS Aug. 5: Mix of …