CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Labor says more than 8,000 initial unemployment claims were filed in New Hampshire last week, and that’s down more than 1,500 from the previous week. The latest number covers new claims through May 16. The number of new claims in a week peaked at 39,000 in early April and has since been declining. George Copadis, commissioner of New Hampshire Employment Security, said Wednesday that 182,000 people have filed initial claims in the last eight weeks. Over the last five years, a total of 153,000 people filed initial claims.