Initial unemployment claims climbed last week in Nebraska, and for the first time in months, continuing claims also climbed.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Nebraskans filed 2,895 initial claims for unemployment for the week ending Saturday. That was up more than 500 from the previous weeks.
After surging in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, initial claims in the state have fallen most weeks, although there have been several weeks, especially in the past couple of months, where they have bounced back and forth between increases and decreases.
Continuing claims, on the other hand, have declined nearly every week since early in the summer.
According to the Labor Department, continuing claims in Nebraska were 11,468 for the week ending Nov. 28, up 170 from the previous week's revised total. Continuing claims data lags data on initial claims by a week.
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Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the increase in continuing claims is normal and not a sign that the economy is worsening.
"Nebraska has recovered a significant share of employment lost during the March and April 2020 period. This means that the unemployment rate and continuing claims for unemployment insurance in Nebraska will decline at a slower pace," Thompson said in an email. "With a slower ongoing decline, unemployment and continuing claims for unemployment insurance will sometimes rise during specific weekly or monthly periods."
The Nebraska claims numbers mirrored those nationally. Initial unemployment claims rose by 137,000 last week to 853,000, while continuing claims were nearly 5.76 million, up 230,000 from the previous week.
10 TALLEST BUILDINGS IN LINCOLN:
The 10 tallest buildings in Lincoln
10. Wells Fargo Center
The Wells Fargo building is listed at 148 feet tall by Emporis, although a 1976 Journal Star article lists the height at 173 feet.
9. Terminal Building
The Terminal Building at 10th and O was built in 1916. It is 10 stories and 150 feet tall.
8. Georgian Place
Georgian Place (pictured facing northeast) houses a portion of the downtown YMCA at 11th and P Streets. The apartment building is 11 stories tall and 152 feet. It was built in 1926.
7. University Towers
University Towers, originally known as the Stuart Building, is 13 floors and 158 feet tall. It was completed in 1929. It stands at 13th and P streets.
6. Abel Hall
Abel Residence Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is estimated to be 161 feet tall.
5. Sharp Building
The Sharp Building, 206 S. 13th St., is 16 floors and 166 feet tall. It was built in 1927.
4. Graduate Hotel
The Graduate Hotel at 9th and P streets is an estimated 198 feet tall.
3. U.S. Bank building
The U.S. Bank building was built in 1969 at 13th and M streets. It is 20 stories tall and 220 feet high.
2. Lied Place
Lied Place Residences is a 20-story retail, office and residential project on the north side of the Que Place Garage at 12th and Q streets. The building is 250 feet tall.
1. State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol dominates the skyline in Lincoln, including looking west from 28th and J streets. The Capitol has 15 floors above ground and is 400 feet tall. It was completed in 1932 after 10 years of construction; the cost was $9.8 million in 1932 dollars.
The Capitol stays Lincoln's tallest building because the Lincoln Municipal Code puts height restrictions on structures within the Capitol Environs District.
Eric Thompson
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
Matt Olberding
Business reporter
Matt Olberding is a Lincoln native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who has been covering business for the Journal Star since 2005.
