Jobless Applications Drop

The number of Americans filing new applications for state unemployment benefits declined last week but still left claims at a level suggesting that the economy’s voracious appetite for workers may be easing a little.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that new claims for jobless benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 308,000 for the week ending Sept. 16, the lowest level since early August. That was down by 18,000 from the previous week.