The U.S. Department of Labor reported a decrease in initial filings for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts last week in comparison to the previous week. New jobless claims, indicative of layoffs, fell to 9,088 for the week ending January 6, a decrease from 12,511 the prior week. Nationwide, U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 202,000 last week, down from 203,000 the week prior, adjusted for seasonal factors. States with significant changes include South Carolina, which experienced the largest percentage increase in weekly claims at 202.6%. Conversely, Virgin Islands saw the biggest percentage drop in new claims, with a 50% decrease.