Hiring Surge, Simone Biles, and 1940s New York City

Jobs Growth Soars

The US economy added 336,000 nonfarm jobs in September, nearly double the 170,000 jobs economists had predicted and surpassing the upwardly revised 227,000 jobs in August, according to government data released yesterday. The latest figure is the largest monthly increase since January.

Analysts say the report suggests the economy continues to be resilient, signaling the Federal Reserve is likely to continue to raise interest rates before the end of the year to tame inflation. While the Fed's aggressive rate hikes have made loans costlier, such as historically high 30-year mortgage rates, the higher-than-expected jobs growth has fueled consumer spending and sustained overall economic growth. It remains to be seen how student loan repayments resuming this month will weigh on consumer spending. 

Most of the jobs in September were added in leisure and hospitality (96,000), government (73,000), and healthcare (41,000). Average hourly earnings in September were up 0.2% month-over-month and 4.2% year-over-year, slightly down from estimates of 0.3% and 4.3%. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.8% from the previous month. See all data here.

Support 1440's Mission

We are able to reach more than 2.8 million inboxes with fact-focused news because our readers support our mission. Subscribe to our ad-free newsletter to help us continue spreading the word.

Philadelphia rapper owns and operates day care serving families in need. (More)

California dad, who biked 16 miles to and from work, is gifted a free car. (More) 

Woman helps reunite her mom with her biological family after her mom was placed for adoption 65 years ago. (More, w/video)

Oregon community rallies to paint a family's home after their contractors never came through. (More) 

Young passerby on motorcycle saves man from burning home in Texas. (More)

Happiness calendar aims to help educators foster well-being and joyful learning in schools. (More) 

From our partners: Cozy, winter-ready denim. DUER's Fireside Denim collection is a cut above your average jeans. Upgraded for cold weather, it's interwoven with fleece for a breathable and comfortable jean, without the bulk of traditional denim. Finished with a water-repelling treatment, their Fireside Denim is designed for wet, cold days. Explore the collection here.

Bookkeeping

> Apple's $17K solid-gold watch is officially obsolete.

> Home security company Ring is offering a $1M prize if you record and capture extraterrestrial activity. 

Browse 

> Cloud ring around glowing volcano tops weather photography awards.

> Mapping the ages of US senators, state by state.

> Ruth Bader Ginsburg commemorated on USPS stamp. 

> The most perfectly preserved dinosaur of all time.

> Ancient gold figures depicting Norse gods found in Norway.

> Airport agents seize giraffe poop from traveler returning to the US.

Listen 

> The secret to building great teams.

Watch 

> A day in New York City in the 1940s.

> ... and two women in the 1970s recall their teenage years in the 1890s.

> How ladybugs transform from goth to glam. 

> One of the rarest salts in the world, dubbed "the dinosaur egg."

Long Read 

> The great psychedelic experiment: Researchers used AI to mine an old drug forum, hoping it could birth a new class of psychedelic-based antidepressants. 

> How the trait of divvying up tasks emerges naturally in ants, wasps, bees, and us. 

Most Read of the Week: The qualities that make someone a dog person.

Historybook: Edgar Allan Poe dies (1849); World’s oldest airline still operating, KLM, is founded (1919); Nobel Peace Prize-winner Desmond Tutu born (1931); American cellist Yo-Yo Ma born (1955); US invasion of Afghanistan begins (2001).