The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength and firming economic growth, Reuters reports. The number of first-time filings for unemployment insurance fell 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 258,000 for the week ended Oct. 22, according to the US Department of Labor. That is the longest stretch since 1970, when the labor market was much smaller. The claims report also showed the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 15,000 to 2.04 million in the week ended Oct. 15, the lowest reading since June 2000.