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August 1, 2025
U.S. added just 73,000 jobs in July and numbers for prior months were revised much lower
(CNBC) Nonfarm payroll growth was slower than expected in July and the unemployment rate ticked higher, raising potential trouble signs for the U.S. labor market. Job growth totaled 73,000 for the month, above the June total of 14,000 but below even the meager Dow Jones estimate for a gain of 100,000. June and May totals were revised sharply lower, down by a combined 258,000 from previously announced levels.
Go to discussionTrump hikes tariffs on Canada to 35%, announces rates from 10% to 40% for dozens of countries
(Yahoo Finance) The White House took a step forward with President Trump’s plan to remake the trade landscape by releasing new details Thursday evening that included a raft of new tariff rates now formally authorized by executive order, which set levels from 10% to 40% on nearly every global trading partner. The move represents a giant shakeup in the US's trade order, with outlined rates that range from a 35% tariff on Canada (up from 25% currently) to rates above 30% on nations from South Africa to Switzerland.
Go to discussionThe maker of Tide and Charmin said it will raise prices in part because of tariffs
(CNN) Procter & Gamble, the maker of several household staples including Tide detergent and Charmin toilet paper, is hiking prices because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The company revealed in Tuesday’s earnings call that its profits will take a $1 billion hit because of tariffs, a larger cost the company originally projected in June. As a result, P&G will increase prices on about 25% of its products, going into effect next month. P&G previously warned in April that it was going to increase prices due to tariffs.
Go to discussionMore Americans now affiliate themselves with the Democratic Party than the Republican Party
(Daily Kos) More Americans now affiliate themselves with the Democratic Party than the Republican Party, marking the first time this has happened since January 2024, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday. Gallup finds that in the second quarter of 2025, an average of 46% of Americans say they identified as a Democrat or a Democratic-leaning independent, compared with the 43% who say they are a Republican or Republican-leaning independent.
Go to discussionHundreds of Federal Air Marshals sent to guard Trump's ICE flights instead of usual role on passenger jets: report
(The Independent) Roughly 200 Federal Air Marshals have reportedly been reassigned from their usual duties protecting the U.S. transit system to assist with Trump administration deportation flights alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Marshals, the main law enforcement arm of the Transportation Security Administration, better known for missions like protecting U.S. commercial flights, are instead carrying out tasks on deportation flights like providing security, handing out sandwiches to detainees, checking them for lice, and cleaning planes, CNN reports.
Go to discussionU.S. CDC cuts experts out of panels that develop vaccine policy, Bloomberg reports
(Reuters) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told physician groups, public health professionals and infectious disease experts that they will no longer be invited to help review vaccine data and develop recommendations, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Go to discussionUS childhood vaccination rates fall again as exemptions set another record
(AP) U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Thursday. The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 4.1%, up from 3.7% the year before. It’s the third record-breaking year in a row for the exemption rate, and the vast majority are parents withholding shots for nonmedical reasons.
Go to discussionRepublicans reject Democrats' amendment to block Trump from taking Qatari jet after presidency
(The Hill) Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday rejected what they described as a “poison pill” amendment that Democrats say is intended to block President Trump from taking the Qatari luxury jet that the Pentagon intends to use as Air Force One with him after his presidency. The committee voted 15-14 against adopting the amendment during consideration of the annual defense funding bill.
Go to discussionCapitol agenda: It's down to Trump, Schumer and Thune
(Politico) The Senate’s summer exit is getting complicated as lawmakers brace for some weekend work. Tensions are running high over government funding negotiations. And Senate leaders have yet to seal a deal to advance dozens of President Donald Trump’s nominees as Majority Leader John Thune shuttles between the White House and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The odds of including the Commerce-Justice-Science bill in an appropriations “minibus” withered late Thursday night. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who has used the bill as a platform to fight the Trump administration’s plans for keeping FBI headquarters in Washington, objected to including the CJS legislation in the broader funding package.
Go to discussionForged signatures found on Mayor Adams' petitions to run as an independent
(Gothamist) Mayor Eric Adams’ re-election campaign submitted faked and fraudulently obtained petition signatures in his effort to secure a spot on the November ballot as an independent candidate, a Gothamist investigation has found. Gothamist reviewed signatures submitted from across New York City and found people who said their names were forged, as well as people who said they were deceived into signing the petitions. In at least three instances, the campaign turned in signatures from dead people.