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October 3, 2025
Government shutdown delays key monthly jobs report at a pivotal moment for the U.S. economy
(NBC News) For people who closely follow the U.S. economy, the first Friday of every month is known as “jobs Friday,” when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the previous month’s employment report at precisely 8:30 a.m. ET. But on this jobs Friday, September's employment data — a critical window into the health of the U.S. labor market — will not be released. Like many other federal offices, the BLS is temporarily closed because of the ongoing government shutdown. Until Congress approves its funding, the bureau’s more than 2,000 employees will remain furloughed, unable to release any reports.
Go to discussionGovernment shutdown could cost US economy billions of dollars a week, analysts say
(The Guardian) Senior officials inside Donald Trump’s administration have acknowledged the federal government shutdown, without an end in sight, could hurt the US economy. The damage could be worth billions of dollars each week, according to analysts. “This isn’t the way to have a discussion, shutting down the government and lowering the GDP,” Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, told the CNBC financial news network. “We could see a hit to the GDP, a hit to growth and a hit to working America.” Prolonged failure to reach a deal would be costly.
Go to discussionTrump administration puts on hold $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects, Vought says
(CNBC) The Trump administration has put on hold $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects, primarily two efforts to improve the city’s transit system, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said Friday. Vought’s announcement on the third day of the U.S. government shutdown comes on the heels of two other moves by the Trump administration targeting funding in cities and states led by Democrats.
Go to discussion'Naked violation': Trump accused of brazen law-breaking with new GOP 'propaganda' attacks
(Raw Story) A high-ranking Democrat is pointing to GOP "propaganda" attacks, saying it could be a "naked violation of the Hatch Act" that he said has "outraged" his constituents. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) announced Thursday that the Trump administration is using government websites and civil servant emails "to promote blatantly partisan propaganda about the government shutdown." "This is an intolerable abuse of power and a form of bureaucratic identity theft from federal workers," Raskin said in a statement.
Go to discussionHouse Democrats press Johnson on swearing in Adelita Grijalva on Friday
(The Hill) A letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), signed by 180 House Democrats, called for Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) to be sworn in Friday. Grijalva won the special election to fill the seat in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District held by her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), late last month. However, the House was out of session all of last week, and Johnson and GOP leaders opted against swearing her in during a pro forma session Tuesday. The House returns to regular session Oct. 7.
Go to discussionLawrence: We are clearly seeing madness pouring from the darkness of Donald Trump's mind
Go to discussionTrump Wants To Turn U.S. Military Against American People With Latest Plan, LA Mayor Says
(Huff Post) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is tearing into President Donald Trump for suggesting that the military use some of the country’s “dangerous cities as training grounds.” Speaking with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Bass accused Trump of “creating warfare within” major cities after he made the suggestion while meeting Tuesday with hundreds of senior U.S. military officials. Trump held the rare meeting alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Quantico, Virginia.
Go to discussionRobert Morris, Gateway Church founding pastor, pleads guilty in Oklahoma child sexual abuse case
(CBS News) Robert Morris, founding pastor of Gateway Church — a Texas-based megachurch with one of the largest congregations in the country — pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of indecent conduct with a child. The charges stem from an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a young girl in Oklahoma more than 40 years ago. The plea was entered during a scheduled hearing in Osage County. Afterwards, Morris was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but six months suspended.
Go to discussionGOP Silent as Mormon Church Gunman Identified as 'Ultra MAGA' Trump Supporter
(Daily Boulder) As the nation reels from another devastating mass shooting—this time at a Mormon church in suburban Michigan—Republican leaders have remained notably silent following revelations that the gunman was a devoted Trump supporter who once proudly wore the label “Ultra MAGA.” Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old Marine veteran from Grand Blanc Township, plowed his pickup truck into a local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday before opening fire on worshippers. Ten people were shot. Four are dead.
Go to discussionHegseth reignites battle over women's role in military
(The Hill) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s assertion Tuesday that newly proposed military fitness standards may exclude women from certain combat roles has reignited fears about his approach to women in the armed forces. In a highly unusual address to hundreds of the military’s top leaders in Quantico, Va., Hegseth declared new directives to ensure every combat position “returns to the highest male standard” of their service’s physical fitness test. “If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it,” he said, though he stressed that the military will continue to welcome women into its ranks.
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