WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $11,765,089 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of South Dakota. South Dakota qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by enabling certain part-time workers to be eligible for UI benefits and by providing additional weeks of benefits to people who are enrolled in training or education programs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.8 million grant to assist around 450 workers affected by layoffs at Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. and Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. in western Montana.

"Montana's timber and wood products industry saw a marked downturn during the recent recession," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Today's grant will help these workers enter training that will allow them to compete for and find jobs in new and emerging industries."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 471,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 446,000. The 4-week moving average was 453,500, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 450,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending May 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $26,015,055 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of New Mexico. New Mexico qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by allowing certain part-time workers to claim UI benefits and by providing dependents' allowances for all UI beneficiaries.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of more than $12 million in competitive funding to states through the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. Grants funded through this competition will be used to create longitudinal workforce databases and improve the quality and breadth of the data within existing systems.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the transmittal of the Unemployment Compensation Integrity Act of 2010 to Congress. The draft legislation, if enacted, will help states fight employer fraud and reduce improper benefit payments.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $10,412,823 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Alaska. Alaska qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by extending unemployment benefits to individuals who leave jobs for compelling family reasons.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 8,500 workers from companies in 13 states – California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 444,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 448,000. The 4-week moving average was 450,500, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised average of 459,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending May 1, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $20,332,402 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Utah. Utah qualified for a portion of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by updating its laws to allow workers to use recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

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WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 7,300 workers from companies in 15 states – Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $126,750,124 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Maryland. Maryland qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by adding new provisions to its UI law that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and individuals who are upgrading their skills.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 444,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 451,000. The 4-week moving average was 458,500, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average of 463,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 24, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,527,108 grant to continue to assist about 1,789 dislocated workers currently receiving intensive services and training from the state of Minnesota, as well as to serve those on waiting lists due to statewide funding shortages.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $459,844 grant to assist about 80 workers affected by layoffs at Cleanpak International Inc. in Clackamas, Ore.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,635,901 grant to assist about 613 workers affected by layoffs at Northwest Airlines in Eagan, Minn.

"Workers deserve an opportunity to pursue training and employment services after losing a job through no fault of their own," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This grant will help Minnesotans impacted by airline industry layoffs to find good jobs in emerging industries, and it will bolster both the state and national economy."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the release of an updated version of the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $7.4 million in additional funding to nine high schools that have been deemed persistently dangerous by state educational agencies.

"Every good job begins with a good education, and all students deserve to pursue that education in a safe environment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants will promote the type of learning environment that will help get students on the track to personal and professional success.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 448,000, a decrease of 11,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 459,000. The 4-week moving average was 462,500, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 461,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending April 17, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.