The number of initial jobless claims rose the week before Christmas as the once-hot labor market continues to cool, according to U.S. Labor Department data released Thursday. Initial applications for unemployment benefits rose by 12,000 to 218,000 for the week ending Dec. 23. Ohio, Oklahoma, Michigan, Connecticut and Massachusetts saw the largest increase in initial claims from the previous week, while California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Minnesota saw the largest decreases. While the new claims data marks the second straight jump in jobless claims, the four-week average of claims — which can smooth out ... (full story)