Slightly fewer number of Americans apply for jobless benefits as layoffs remain rare

( ) -q-18- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “to 211-thousand.”

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inched up modestly this week after reaching their lowest level in eight months the previous week.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The Labor Department reports that filings for jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 204,000 for the week ending September 23. Last week’s figure was the lowest since January. The four-week moving average of claims, which quiets some of the week-to-week noise, fell by 6,250 to 211,000.

Trump had GOP debate presence despite his absence

Republican candidates took aim at Donald Trump for skipping the debate at the Reagan presidential library. He may have been physically absent, but Trump was very much a part of the debate discussion. Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie were the most vocal in criticizing the former president. Trump, who also skipped the first debate, held a competing event in Michigan with autoworkers.

No Compromise. Schumer Prepares To Blame House GOP For Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer [D-NY] is laying the groundwork to blame House Republicans for an expected government shutdown at the end of the month. In a letter to his Democrat colleagues Schumer writes that any shutdown will be the result f what he calls “political games” by House Republicans. Fiscal House conservatives are demanding 2024 spending cuts deeper than those already agreed to by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the white house. And they’ve vowed not to budge, even if the budget stalemate leads to a shutdown at the end of September. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said the senate GOP will not support House bills demanding the deeper than agreed upon cuts.

Former President Trump Kicks Off Campaign Events

The former President is kicking off his 2024 campaign with two stops along the East Coast. More from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his 2024 White House bid with a stop Saturday in New Hampshire before heading to South Carolina, appearances in early-voting states marking the first campaign events since announcing his latest run more than two months ago.

Those states hold two of the party’s first three nominating contests, giving them enormous power in selecting the nominee.

Mr. Trump and his allies hope the events will offer a show of force behind the former president after a sluggish start to his campaign. In recent weeks, his backers have reached out to political operatives and elected officials to secure support for Mr. Trump at a critical point when other Republicans are preparing their own expected challenges.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Mainline clergymen are out of step with their congregations

Mainline clergymen are out of step with their congregations

VERBATIM: According to a new study by the Public Religion Research Institute, the pastors of America’s seven Mainline Protestant denominations overwhelmingly belong to the Democratic Party — 49% versus just 14% who are Republicans. But the folks in the Pews are a lot more balanced in their political affiliations: 34% are Republicans, 30% are Democrats and 26% Independents. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

AM SPORTSCAST 9-27

AM SPORTSCAST 9-27