briefs package for saturday

New jobless claims in Idaho increased in the week ending June 20, rising 18% from a week prior, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

Laid-off workers in Idaho filed 4,285 new claims last week, the department said Thursday.

Manufacturing represented 17% of claims filed last week.

Accommodation and food services represented 13%, followed by health care and social assistance at 12%, and retail trade at 10%.

The four sectors accounted for more than half of all new claims filed during the week, the labor department said.

Microsoft closing retail outlets

Microsoft is dramatically shrinking its in-person retail business and will close all but four of its brick-and-mortar locations, redirecting consumers in search of an Xbox or service to its online store.

The tech giant will shutter more than 79 of its 83 stores worldwide, retaining only those in New York, London, Sydney and on its Redmond, Washington, campus.

All store employees will be given the opportunity to move to other positions.

The pandemic has taken a big toll on retailers of all stripes as stay-home orders forced nonessential businesses to suspend operations.

From staff and wire reports