KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana recorded 6,439 continued unemployment claims, down 31% from the comparable week last year. Initial claims edged up to 1,316 but remained 3% below the same period in 2025. Four-week moving averages declined for both initial and continued unemployment claims. Louisiana W orks said both initial and continued claims remain near historic lows.   Louisiana’s continued unemployment claims fell 31% from the same week last year, while new claims edged higher, according to a Louisiana Works report issued Friday. The state recorded 6,439 continued unemployment insurance claims for the week ending Sept. 5, down from 9,318 during the comparable week in 2025. Continued claims also fell from 6,730 the previous week. Initial unemployment insurance claims rose slightly to 1,316 for the week, up from 1,311 the previous week. The total was still 3% below the 1,359 claims filed during the comparable week last year. The four-week moving average of initial claims declined to 1,322 from 1,360, while the four-week moving average for continued claims fell to 6,934 from 7,358. Louisiana Works said weekly fluctuations in initial unemployment claims are not unusual during the fall and that both initial and continued claims remain near historic lows despite the increase in initial claims. The agency said it provides unemployment insurance and workforce services through American Job Centers, job fairs, training programs and apprenticeship opportunities. ...read more read less