Nebraska jobless claims surge after Tyson plant closure

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Nebraska is bucking the national trend in jobless claims after the Tyson Foods plant closure in Lexington.

Data from the Nebraska Department of Labor released Thursday shows 3,043 first-time unemployment claims were filed for the week ending Jan. 24, a 244% increase from the previous week, the largest jump in the nation.

Nebraska was one of only seven states to see an increase in jobless claims during that period. The 3,043 claims mark the most in a non-pandemic week in the state since December 2011.

Nationwide, jobless numbers were more positive: initial claims fell slightly, and continuing claims reached their lowest level since late September.