John Heckert wipes his eyes as he fills out computer...

John Heckert wipes his eyes as he fills out computer forms to apply for unemployment insurance in Oakland, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2010) Credit: Getty Images

 More people than expected filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, hitting the highest level since November, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.

The 500,000 claims, adjusted to weed out seasonal quirks, meant a third straight week of increases. The figure was just under the 509,000 claims received the week ending Nov. 14.

>> Read Ellen Yan's full story

Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... Town approves new Chick-fil-A ... Traveling with Blakeman as he campaigns upstate Credit: Newsday

AG: Babylon school officials let misconduct be 'normalized' ... Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... House speaker on LI ... Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... Town approves new Chick-fil-A ... Traveling with Blakeman as he campaigns upstate Credit: Newsday

AG: Babylon school officials let misconduct be 'normalized' ... Search for suspect leads to school lockout ... House speaker on LI ... Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

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