Applications for U.S. unemployment aid plummet to 283,000

Weekly applications for unemployment dropped by 21,000 to a total of 283,000. This could be a sign that a recent boost in job opportunities may continue, according to the Chicago Tribune.

More than 3.2 million jobs have been created in the past year. This lowered the unemployment rate to 5.7 percent in January compared to 6.6 percent 12 months before.

The number of available jobs also has seen a positive spark. Jobs posted by employers in December rose to the highest it has been in 14 years.

Read more from the Chicago Tribune.