Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia rose the previous week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 4,675 in the week ending October 5, up from 3,982 the week before, the Labor Department said. U.S. unemployment claims rose to 258,000 last week, up 33,000 claims from 225,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. North Carolina, recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 290.2%. Wyoming, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 20.1%.