Claims for unemployment benefits are up across the country

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- New claims for unemployment benefits are at their highest weekly level since November across the country.

According to the US Labor Department, initial applications for unemployment insurance rose to 251 thousand in the week ending Saturday. This is the highest weekly level since November and up 7 thousand from the previous week.

The biggest job losses are happening within tech, Real estate, mortgage lending companies, and big box retail sectors.  The companies are laying off workers and slowing their hiring they experience fewer sales and smaller profit margins, according to the US Labor Department.