Ground News. Devory Darkins, A Righteous Perspective.


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  • The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week but remains at historically healthy levels.
  • The U.S. gained 64,000 jobs in November but lost 105,000 in October due to federal workers' departures.
  • Job creation has fallen to an average of 35,000 a month since March, compared to 71,000 in the previous year, as hiring has lost momentum
 
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  • Real GDP rose at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, exceeding the expected 3.3% and surpassing the 3.8% growth in the second quarter.
  • The Congressional Budget Office indicated that the recent government shutdown likely lowered real GDP during its occurrence.
  • Mark Hamrick from Bankrate stated that the economy's performance will be clearer next year, hinting at potential stability in the job market.
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell mentioned that the baseline for next year would indicate solid growth due to consumer spending and artificial intelligence
 
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  • On Wednesday, the U.S. Labor Department reported U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%.
  • Government revisions cut into the previously reported 584,000 jobs figure, sharply reducing prior payroll totals and muddling 2024-2025 payrolls.
  • Private measures showed weaker hiring as ADP payroll processor reported 22,000 jobs added last week, while Challenger, Gray & Christmas recorded more than 108,000 cuts last month and job openings fell to 6.5 million.
  • Analysts say the unemployment rate is providing a better gauge amid revisions and will influence policy and markets, while economists warned revisions could mean the American economy lost jobs in 2025.
  • Policy factors including high interest rates, Elon Musk's federal workforce purge last year, and President Donald Trump's immigration policies have cut labor supply and lowered the jobs break-even point.


 
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  • Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 227,000 for the week ended February 7, below the forecast of 222,000 claims.
  • The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% from 4.4% in January, though job growth was concentrated in the healthcare and social assistance sector.
  • Economists characterized the labor market as remaining in a 'low hire, low fire' state despite tax cuts being expected to boost employment growth this year.
 
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  • On Feb. 11, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act in a 218-213 vote, sending the bill to the Senate.
  • Supporters say the bill addresses election integrity, citing a Pew Research Center poll showing 83% of voters, including 71% of Democrats, back photo ID.
  • The legislation would require documentary proof-of-citizenship like an American passport or birth certificate to register, mandate ID copies for absentee ballots and photo ID for in-person voting, and enable federal information-sharing with DHS while imposing criminal penalties on election officials.
  • Critics warn the bill could disenfranchise voters, saying independent experts and voting-rights groups caution it could block millions and the Brennan Center notes women may face extra hurdles
 
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