WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in seven weeks, although applications remain elevated.

The Labor Department says applications for benefits dropped by
14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 418,000.

Applications have topped 400,000 for 13 weeks, evidence the job
market has weakened since the beginning of the year. Applications
had fallen in February to 375,000, a level that signals sustainable
job growth. They stayed below 400,000 for seven of the next nine
weeks. But then applications surged to an eight-month high of
478,000 in April and have shown only modest improvement since.

The department says that about 2,500 applications in Minnesota
were from state employees temporarily laid off due to a state
government shutdown.