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The US economy added 150,000 jobs last month. Here’s what that means

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

By Alicia Wallace | CNNMinneapolis — For several months now, the US labor market has been on a cooling trajectory, and Friday’s jobs report made that even more apparent.The US economy added 150,000 jobs last month, falling below expectations but still notching a solid month of employment growth, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Friday.October’s job growth came in below September’s stronger-than expected but downwardly revised total of 297,000 jobs.“After the hot September, air conditioning has been turned on in October,” said Sung Won Sohn, chief economist of SS Economics and a professor of finance and economics at Loyola Marymount University.The unemployment rate ticked higher to 3.9%, its highest level since January 2022.Economists were expecting net job gains of 180,000 for the month and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 3.8%, according to Refinitiv.Last month’s job gains are the lowest since June, but there is a caveat: The October total reflects a...

Pac-12 recruiting: Oregon cleans up, Colorado searches for help and the spotlight turns to a lineman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Nov. 2 …All eyes on JerichoWith the commitment of Elijah Rushing, the No. 1 prospect in Arizona, to Oregon earlier this week, all eyes are turning to four-star defensive lineman Jericho Johnson of Fairfield, California.The highest-rated uncommitted player in the West — and the top uncommitted Californian now that defensive lineman Aydin Breland has announced for Oregon — Johnson still has more official visits on the docket before the season ends.Johnson named a final four in the summer of Oregon, USC, Utah and Washington.He had previously visited Washington for an official visit in June, then was back in Seattle last month when the Huskies took down Oregon.Last weekend, Johnson took his second official visit, tripping to Salt Lake City ...

‘Death of a Salesman’ revival in San Francisco canceled after cast member killed in pedestrian accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

A San Francisco revival of the classic drama “Death of a Salesman” has been canceled after a cast member, Richard D. May, 64, was struck and killed by a car while walking to a rehearsal for the show, reports and theater company officials said.The African-American Shakespeare Company, which performs adaptations of classic stage plays with BIPOC casts, was set to open a production of Arthur Miller’s tragic drama last weekend. But a real-life tragedy intervened.Cast member May, 65, reportedly was walking to a rehearsal on the morning of Oct. 28 when he was struck and killed by a car at Post and Hyde streets in San Francisco’s lower Nob Hill district, officials at AASC said. According to AASC and S.F. Police Department reports, a white BMW ran a red light and struck another car, which hit and killed Ray. The BMW driver was arrested and an investigation is continuing, reports said. No other details of the accident were available.May was reportedly walking to Taube...

The Squad Is Getting Primaried for Standing Against the War

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

Fourteen Democratic senators called for a “short-term cessation of hostilities” on Thursday, as Israel’s airstrikes continued for the fourth week and a ground invasion intensified. So far 18 House members have signed on to a resolution, introduced weeks earlier, with stronger calls for an “immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine.” Pro-Israel lobbying groups have already begun efforts to oust House members pushing for a ceasefire. This week on Deconstructed, Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid joins Ryan Grim to discuss the powerful influence of groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and Democratic Majority for Israel in shaping U.S.-Israel policy, the generational shift challenging their power, and how Arab and Muslim communities are responding to the Biden administration’s response to the war.Transcript coming soon. The post The Squad Is Getting Primaried for Standing Against the War appeared first on The Intercept.

Dick Durbin, AIPAC’s First Successful Recruit, Becomes First Senator to Call for Gaza Ceasefire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

Democrat Dick Durbin became the first senator to call for a ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war on Thursday, as Israel’s bombing and ground campaign picks up in ferocity. Durbin, speaking on CNN, said that a ceasefire must come along with the release of hostages. “I think it is,” the Illinois senator and Judiciary Committee chair said when asked if it was time for a ceasefire, a term that has been off-limits for the Biden administration and the vast majority of Democrats. “At least in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those who have been kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release. That should be the beginning of it,” Durbin said. “An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians,” he added. Durbin’s willingness to tiptoe ahead of his colleagues is all the more surprising given his own electoral history. Durbin, as a House candidate in 1982, was the first successful recruit of the American Isr...

Some Va. lawmakers say it’s time to eliminate daylight saving time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

The sense of dread that so often accompanies Mondays could feel slightly more bearable for some next week as Virginians gain another hour of sleep this Sunday from daylight saving time. (Of course, that extra rest comes at the cost of darker nights for the next four months.)If some lawmakers had their way, the tradition would have ended in Virginia years ago because of its disruptive and impractical nature.The latest attempt to eliminate daylight saving time in the commonwealth came from Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland, whose bill narrowly died on the Senate floor this January.“If you can tell time, I think we’re gonna be just fine,” Stuart said. “We’re gonna get an extra hour in the evening when you come home from work. That way we don’t have to go to work in the dark, come home in the dark and it’s medically proven that we need to stop changing the time.”While several lawmakers have agreed the elimination of daylight saving time could help businesses and improve health quality...

A gas explosion at a building north of New York City injures 10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A gas explosion collapsed part of a brick multifamily building north of New York City, trapping victims in the rubble and injuring 10 people, according to officials. There were no fatalities in the Thursday afternoon explosion and fire, which sent thick smoke billowing in the air about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the city. Rescuers scrambled to pull people from the wreckage.“I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve got 27 years as a volunteer fireman and chief. So I think they did a remarkable job,” Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Jason Enson told reporters at a briefing late Thursday.Eight adults and two children suffered blast or burn injuries. One child and two adults were flown by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center. Three patients remain hospitalized in critical condition and five more in serious condition as of Friday. Another victim was listed in good condition at a separate area hospital, according to the Westchester Medical Center ...

Will Taylor Swift be at the Chiefs’ game in Germany? Travis Kelce wouldn’t say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Travis Kelce declined to discuss Taylor Swift’s status for Sunday’s game in Germany — and their status as a couple.The Chiefs tight end spoke Friday at a press conference but wouldn’t say whether the pop star plans to attend the game against the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park.“When I mention or everybody knows that she’s at the game, the Vegas, the over under on my catches kind of goes up and down, the spread goes up and down,” Kelce joked. “I don’t want to mess with any of that stuff, so I’m just going to keep it to myself.”The Chiefs arrived Friday morning and practiced at the campus of the German national soccer team in Frankfurt.Kelce was asked for his relationship status and if he’s “in love” — which drew oohs and chuckles.“The latest status is I got to see her last week,” he good-naturedly replied.The reporter repeated the second part.“I’m going to keep my personal relationship personal,” Kelce sai...

‘Free Solo’ filmmakers dive into fiction with thrilling swim drama ‘Nyad’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

Filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have given audiences thrilling and sometimes terrifying front-row seats to incredible feats of human ambition in their documentary work.From Alex Honnold’s white-knuckle climb up Yosemite’s El Capitan in the Oscar-winning “ Free Solo ” to the claustrophobic blackness awaiting the cave divers who rescued the trapped soccer team in Northern Thailand in “ The Rescue,” their understanding of the personalities capable of such impossible accomplishments is almost unparalleled in filmed storytelling.It is not surprising, then, that they’d be interested and uniquely equipped to tell the story of Diana Nyad and her treacherous 110-mile (177-kilometer) swim from Cuba to Key West at age 64 for their first narrative film, “ Nyad,” now available to watch on Netflix. But there would be at least one big difference in bringing “Nyad” to life: actors.“In nonfiction, you observe. You’re like the closest listener,” Vasarhelyi told The Associated Pres...

Prosecutor says officer who used neck hold on Elijah McClain should be convicted in his death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:34 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments Friday that a police officer who stopped Elijah McClain, put the 23-year old Black man in a neck hold and then abandoned him as his condition deteriorated should be convicted of manslaughter in his 2019 death.Aurora Officer Nathan Woodyard is among three officers and two paramedics charged in the death of McClain after protests over the 2020 killing of George Floyd renewed interest in the case. The trial against the two other officers resulted in a split verdict last month with one convicted of homicide and one acquitted.Woodyard was the first officer to confront McClain as the massage therapist walked home from a convenience store in the Denver suburb of Aurora. A 17-year-old 911 caller had reported McClain — who was listening to music, wearing a mask and dancing as he walked — as suspicious.“Elijah McClain was walking home, he was dancing. As he told the defendant he was stopping the music to listen,” Colorado As...