WASHINGTON — Slightly more Americans applied for jobless aid last week. Despite the small increase, the number of people seeking benefits remained close to historic lows.

Weekly unemployment applications rose by 2,000 to 234,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. The less volatile four-week average declined 2,750 to 237,750. The increase in claims followed a large drop the previous week. The number of people collecting unemployment benefits has fallen 9.5 percent over the past 12 months to 1.9 million.

The job market appears solid as the U.S. enters its ninth year of recovery from the Great Recession. Employers are holding onto workers with the expectation that business will continue to improve.

[naviga:h3]Judge tosses suits over ‘Parmesan’[/naviga:h3]

CHICAGO — A judge has dismissed lawsuits that allege labels touting “100 percent grated Parmesan” are deceptive because the products include non-cheese ingredients.

Judge Gary Feinerman on Thursday tossed five lawsuits against major producers and retailers that were consolidated into a single case in Chicago federal court.

His 25-page written ruling concludes that the companies’ “labeling and marketing, when viewed as a whole ... are not deceptive.”

He noted that full ingredients are listed on the products and make clear that cellulose, a filler made from wood pulp, is mixed into the Parmesan. Feinerman cites one Kraft Heinz Parmesan product that lists “cellulose powder” as an ingredient meant “to prevent caking.”