Jobs Report, California Drought, & a Sheep Raid

Adam Rogers
January 10, 2026

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Today’s Big Story

The US added just 50,000 jobs in December, capping the weakest year of employment gains since 2003 outside of recessions, the Labor Department reported Friday. Employers added only 584,000 jobs in 2025, down sharply from over 2 million in 2024. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% from 4.5%, its first decline since June.
Hiring slowed amid uncertainty driven by President Trump’s shifting tariff policies, persistently high inflation, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence. Manufacturing has lost jobs every month since tariffs were announced in April, while retailers cut 25,000 positions, signaling weaker-than-usual holiday hiring. October payrolls were also revised lower, now showing a loss of 173,000 jobs.
Economists describe the market as “low-hire, low-fire”: layoffs remain limited, but job openings are scarce and finding work has become harder. Some sectors still added jobs—health care gained 38,500 positions and restaurants added 47,000. Even so, strong productivity gains helped the economy grow at a 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter, allowing businesses to boost output without expanding their workforces.

Indiana demolished Oregon 56-22 on Friday to reach the national championship game against Miami on January 19. Indiana's defense scored three touchdowns off turnovers while Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes. Indiana is 15-0 and trying to give the Big Ten its third straight championship. Oregon played without two starting running backs because of injuries. (More)

Three Democratic senators asked Apple and Google on Thursday to remove Elon Musk's X and Grok apps after his AI tool created thousands of fake sexual images of real people without consent, including children. X limited the feature to paid users on its site, but Grok's separate app still makes these images. The senators said both stores ban nonconsensual sexual content. Apple and Google haven't responded. (More)

Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 242 drones and 36 missiles, including a rare nuclear-capable weapon. Ukraine shot down 226 drones and 18 missiles, but strikes hit 19 areas, killing at least four people and damaging 40 buildings in Kyiv. Russia claimed it was payback for a Ukrainian attack on Putin's home that Ukraine says never happened. (More)

Federal agents shot two Venezuelans in Portland on Thursday during an immigration stop, saying the driver tried to run them over. The couple was hospitalized in unknown condition. The state attorney general opened an investigation, while hundreds of protesters gathered outside ICE offices that night. This came a day after another federal immigration agent killed someone in Minneapolis under disputed circumstances. (More)

California is drought-free for the first time in 25 years after recent winter storms. The last time no areas were considered too dry was December 2000. Storms brought up to 7 inches of rain in parts of the state and filled major reservoirs to 129% of normal levels, though snowpack remains at just 71% of average. Meanwhile, other western states like Utah and Nevada still face severe drought. (More)

A baby born at 22 weeks, weighing one pound, beat 5% survival odds after a year in a Tennessee hospital. He's now home, developing normally with help from a breathing tube. (More)

At 80, retired teacher Betty Kellenberger overcame injuries, illness, and setbacks to complete the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, becoming the oldest woman ever to finish it. (More)

A Montana program drops repeat youth offenses to 10% from 23% by having teens meet victims face-to-face instead of serving school suspensions, costing $430 per youth versus $6,815 for detention. (More)

A dad in Switzerland rescued 10 teens from a New Year's fire that killed over 40 by forcing open a blocked exit. (More)

Health experts predict trends for 2026.

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