It’s the first Friday of the month. You know what that means?: |
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The Labor Department released its monthly data this morning for job growth. Exciting, I know! Here’s the gist:
Jobs added: The U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in August, which is roughly in line with expectations.
The unemployment rate: The unemployment rate ticked up from 3.5 percent in July to 3.8 percent in August. Economists had not predicted this increase.
^ Yes, but think of it this way: The unemployment rate can rise either if people lose jobs or if more people enter the labor market. Labor force participation grew 0.2 percentage points last month, meaning more people are looking for work.
What this could mean for interest rates, via The Hill’s Taylor Giorno
Some helpful context: The New York Times’s Ben Casselman posted a graph showing that “job growth has been edging up. But looking at the bigger picture, job growth is slowing pretty steadily.” Read his posts Watch Biden’s remarks this morning on the jobs’ report |
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➤ HEADLINES ON THE JOBS’ REPORT: |
I always find it helpful seeing angles from various news outlets: - ABC News: “US employers added a solid 187,000 jobs in August in sign of a still-resilient labor market”
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Fortune: “Economy adds 187,000 jobs in August with ‘soft landing’ in sight over the horizon”
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Fox Business: “US economy adds 187,000 jobs in August while unemployment rate unexpectedly jumps”
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The Wall Street Journal: “Job Gains Eased in Summer Months, Unemployment Increased in August”
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The New York Times: “U.S. Job Growth Remains Steady Amid Efforts to Cool Economy”
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Happy Friday, leading into the long weekend! It’s technically September today, but in my mind, it’s August until the end of Labor Day weekend. 😉 If anyone needs me this weekend, I’ll be trying to recreate the U.S. Open’s Honey Deuce cocktail. How cute and on-brand are those decorative melon balls? For anyone who wants to join me, here’s the recipe.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
😎 PROGRAMMING NOTE: We will not be publishing The Hill’s 12:30 Report on Labor Day. Enjoy your weekend and do something summery. Tuesday: Same time, same place. Be here.
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Mix 1 cup British royal wedding with 1/4 cup OJ Simpson car chase: |
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Then, combine with 2 tablespoons of the first GOP presidential debate of 2015. Once frothy, add a dash of the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show: |
A judge ruled on Thursday that former President Trump’s trial in Georgia will be televised and livestreamed, reports CNN’s Jason Morris. Can you imagine the insane media fiasco this will be?
The caveat: If the case moves to federal court, the decision about cameras could change.
Cell phones and laptops will be allowed, too: For notetaking, not for recording, though. (CNN) |
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Doctors react to latest McConnell episode: |
The doctor at the U.S. Capitol cleared Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to continue working after he appeared to freeze during a press conference on Wednesday.
Capitol attending physician Brian Monahan said in a statement: “I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team. After evaluating yesterday’s incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned. Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.” (The Hill)
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➤ SEVERAL NEUROLOGISTS WEIGH IN: |
The New York Times spoke with seven neurologists to weigh in on the video of McConnell.
Excerpt: “The neurologists said that the episodes justified close medical attention and could prompt treatment to keep them from recurring. While several possibilities were suggested, including mini-strokes, doctors said that the spells appeared most consistent with focal seizures, which are electrical surges in one region of the brain.”
More interpretations of McConnell’s recent episodes |
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➤ REACTION FROM GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NIKKI HALEY: |
“What I will say is, right now, the Senate is the most privileged nursing home in the country,” Haley said in response to the video of McConnell freezing. |
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Lights, camera, $25 million ad campaign: |
President Biden has been sitting on the sidelines of the 2024 presidential campaign as the Republican field — the GOP primary and former President Trump’s legal troubles — have taken center stage.
How Biden is jumping back in: With a $25 million advertising campaign
Biden has had a few recent setbacks: Biden has faced criticism over his response to the Maui fires and the collapse of a plea deal involving his son Hunter Biden.
What about Biden’s approval ratings?: His polling remains virtually unchanged in the past six months. They’re pretty lukewarm. Real Clear Politics polling average What to expect from the Biden team in the campaign, via The Hill’s Niall Stanage | |
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Politico’s Holly Otterbein writes, “Pennsylvania is key for Biden. Democrats there say the party is in shambles. It’s not just the presidential race at stake. A major state Supreme Court race is this year.” (Politico) |
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A red eye flight here, an airport layover there: |
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that The Atlantic Coast Conference is adding three schools to the league.
The schools added: Stanford, California and Southern Methodist University
The Washington Post’s Matt Bonesteel wrote: “[The addition is] yet another sign that conference realignment in major college athletics is being driven by television money and not geography.” Full read |
➤ ‘HERE’S HOW COLLEGE SPORTS HAS CHANGED AFTER CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT’:
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From The Washington Post’s Matt Bonesteel and Shelly Tan. Explainer |
The University of Nebraska Omaha broke the world record for the highest-attended women’s sporting event on Wednesday with more than 92,000 fans filling the football stadium for a volleyball game. Photos and the full story from The New York Times’s Santul Nerkar ^ The photos are incredible. |
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Back to school, back to growing student loans: |
For the first time in more than three years, student loans are beginning to accrue interest as part of the Biden administration’s sunset on the loan payment pause. What about payments?: Payments resume in October.
If you have questions: The Hill’s Lexi Lonas wrote a helpful Q&A on how the student loans work. What to expect as student loan payments resume soon |
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C. Harris has no public events scheduled. - 10 a.m.: Biden received his daily briefing
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📺 11:15 a.m.: Biden delivered remarks on the August jobs report. Watch
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Saturday: Biden will travel to Florida after Idalia hit the state. Details
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Sept. 5: The Senate returns. Senate calendar
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Sept. 12: The House returns. House calendar
All times Eastern. |
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