good morning!🙋🏼♀️I’m Nicole Forelt. The scary gym class mile run is back.
Take a quick look at Monday’s news:
Economy = Weak labor market + Tariff uncertainty
US employers added the unfortunate 73,000 jobs (around 102,000 expectations) in July as wage growth slowed amid President Donald Trump’s sweeping import duties, intensified immigration crackdowns and large-scale federal layoffs.
This was not a blip: The economist told USA Today. But more is the downward revisions of numbers in April and May, suggesting that the labour market may be weaker than previously thought.
- In response, Trump ordered Erica Mantelfer to be fireda member of the US Labor Statistics Committee. The president of the social media post accused Mentarfer of manipulating mathematics for “political purposes,” but he provided no evidence.
- Will there be a recession in 2025? Consumers reign amid concerns that Trump’s tariffs are pushing prices up. That should lead to weaker jobs benefits, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, trucking and warehouses, economists say. Unless Trump lowers tariffs by Labor Day, the recession appears to be “very, very likely,” an economist told USA Today.
- Are there any encouraging news? GDP increased by 3%.
What does the Trump administration mean for your wallet: For more tips and analysis, sign up for USA Today’s Daily Money Newsletter.
Texas Democrats are trying to stop rezoning votes by leaving the state
A Texas Democrat said Sunday he would leave the state to deny Republicans and deny the quorum needed to redraw the state’s 38 Congressional districts. President Trump defended the district’s plan and told reporters he hopes to bring as many as five additional House Republicans. Republicans hold a narrow 220-212 majority in the House, with three democratic seats open after the death of their members. In a video shot in front of the airport, Democrat representative James Tarico said the district would “rigg” the 2026 election.
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ICE is looking for incentive agents
With a hanging bonus of up to $50,000, federal officials have launched a massive recruitment campaign to hire more than 14,000 immigration agents, lawyers and other workers, helping President Trump implement the border crackdown. The president is being washed away by billions of new fundraisers and hopes to deport one million people a year with the help of immigrants and customs enforcement agents. Even before new recruits made their posts, the dramatic expansion of public ice operations has upset the community. And the aggressive recruitment efforts have also angered local sheriffs who are worried that deputies in the already understaffed office would be seduced by big bonuses and higher wages.
Will rural America give up on Trump?
“The complaints about Republicans are obvious. Maybe we’ll never win Maga voters — we’ll never do — but there are a lot of independents just looking at this and saying, ‘Man, this isn’t what I voted for’. ”
~Matt Hildreth, Executive Director of Ruralerganizing.org. Hilldres’ group is already open in Congressional battlefield districts in Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and focuses on getting people to talk about Medicaid.
Today’s speaker
US Athletics Championship Winners and Losers
Melissa Jefferson Woden boasted as she was a sprint double, Sidney McLaughlin LeBrohn was golden in the 400, while Noah Lyles was proud as she won 200 national titles. On the field, Valary Allman continued his reign on Discus, while Tara Davis Woodhall jumped to the top of the world with a long jump. The US Athletics Championship served as the qualifying stage for next month’s World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan. USA Today Sports was on the sidelines at Hayward Field for all the action.
Today’s photo: You did it, Trinity!
The NWSL revived one of the stars in a big way on Sunday as Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman hit a game-winning goal against the Portland Thorns in its first game since April 12th. Rodman missed the game as much as we missed her.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer for USA Today and sign up for your email here. Want to send a note to Nicole? Please email her at nollert@usatoday.com.
