U.S. jobless claims rise to 199,000 as layoffs remain historically low
Initial unemployment claims increased by 1,000 for the week ending August 1, one day before the federal government’s broader July jobs report.
Business & Economy
Jobs, labor, companies, prices, investment, markets, trade, agriculture, energy, and consumer economics.
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Restaurant industry lowers 2026 sales outlook after a tougher first half
The National Restaurant Association lowered its 2026 sales-growth projection to 4.3%, citing higher gasoline prices, household budget pressure and uneven customer traffic.
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Thomson Reuters schedules second-quarter earnings call for Aug. 5
Thomson Reuters says more than 1 million professionals have chosen its CoCounsel AI platform, but the available materials do not include the company’s full second-quarter financial results.
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OPEC+, Saudi Arabia and Russia Approve September Oil-Output Increase After August 2 Decision
OPEC+ agreed on August 2 to raise its combined production target by about 188,000 barrels per day from September, completing the rollback of a larger voluntary cut announced in 2023.
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USTR Extends Exclusions From China Tariffs Linked to Forced-Technology-Transfer Investigation
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative extended exclusions from certain Section 301 tariffs on covered imports from China, giving affected businesses more certainty while broader trade measures remain in place.
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USDA gives farmers until Aug. 31 to seek base-acre increases under major farm programs
Eligible landowners and producers in USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs can review and consider base-acre increases through Aug. 31, 2026.
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CFPB Seeks Public Input on Changes Intended to Expand Access to Mortgage Credit
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau opened a request for information on potential mortgage-credit regulatory changes, but has not adopted a new rule.
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Judge pauses proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. deal through Aug. 17 as litigation continues
A federal judge ruled July 23 that Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery will remain on hold through Aug. 17 while litigation over the transaction proceeds.
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U.S. employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs in July as labor-market momentum weakens
U.S. payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, while revisions erased 103,000 jobs from earlier reports and complicated the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook.
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July Inflation Report Set for Aug. 12 After June Consumer Prices Fell 0.4%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the July 2026 Consumer Price Index on Aug. 12. June headline prices fell monthly but remained 3.5% higher than a year earlier.
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Nevada Adds 100,800 Jobs Since December 2022 as June Employment Reaches Record Level
Nevada’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment reached 1,614,100 in June 2026, while preliminary data put the unemployment rate at 5.1%.
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Mississippi begins accepting Workforce Pell applications for short-term job training
Mississippi has begun accepting applications under the Workforce Pell framework, opening a new federal aid pathway for eligible short-term training programs as state officials respond to a largely flat employment outlook.
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Minnesota Added 13,200 Jobs in June as Officials Warn Recovery Remains Fragile
Minnesota’s payrolls grew by 13,200 jobs in June, but state analysts say weak annual growth and a widening gap between labor-force and payroll measures require close monitoring.
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Massachusetts added 8,400 jobs in June as unemployment remained below national levels
Massachusetts reported a preliminary gain of 8,400 payroll jobs in June, while private education and health services led the sector gains. July data are scheduled for release Aug. 21.
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Maryland Added Nearly 18,000 Jobs in 2026 as State Begins Recovering From Federal Workforce Losses
Maryland added nearly 18,000 jobs during 2026, according to late-July reporting, but federal employment and several private-sector industries continued to weaken through June.
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San Andreas business closure triggers permanent layoffs at Pool Station Road facility
A California Employment Development Department WARN filing records a permanent closure and permanent layoffs affecting three workers at Sentinel Transportation LLC’s facility at 746 Pool Station Road in San Andreas.
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Quincy’s data-center growth is reshaping jobs, land and power infrastructure
A regional report details how data centers serving Microsoft and Yahoo are changing Quincy’s workforce, construction activity, land negotiations and transportation planning.
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Commerce council weighs 2026-27 CDBG shift to business-assistance program
The Commerce City Council considered moving fiscal-year 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant funds into the Commerce Advantage Program, but the available meeting record does not show a final vote or the amount involved.
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Liberty approves final development plan for proposed $1.4 billion Metrobloks data center
Liberty City Council approved the final development plan for Metrobloks’ proposed data-center project at 2515 Old Hughes Road, moving the $1.4 billion proposal into implementation.
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Collingswood weighs ending its longstanding ban on alcohol sales
Collingswood officials are exploring whether to end the borough’s longstanding prohibition on alcohol sales, but no repeal or liquor-licensing system has been documented as final.
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Thomson Reuters’ Aug. 5 earnings disclosure follows KKR global-print joint venture announcement
Thomson Reuters’ second-quarter 2026 earnings disclosure was scheduled for Aug. 5, weeks after the company announced a joint venture with KKR involving its global print business.
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Global markets turn lower on Aug. 6 as oil rises and U.S. technology earnings face pressure
U.S. stocks moved lower on Aug. 6 as rising oil prices and mixed technology earnings weighed on markets, while European shares were mostly higher and Asian markets closed mostly lower.