ROBOTS now do much of the work of auto assembly, but many workers are still required (Shutterstock).
The number of new jobs added during President Donald Trump’s first year of the second term is showing the slowest growth of employment since 2020.
According to The New York Times, Labor Department statistics released Friday showed 584,000 jobs added in the 12 months. That compares to 2 million jobs added in 2024, President Joe Biden’s fourth year in office.
Unemployment in December was mild but still up, at 4.4 percent,
compared to 4 percent one year ago. Four percent is considered “full employment,” meaning almost all people who seek employment find work.
Still, that means that – for example – 68,000 manufacturing jobs were shed in December 2025. Government jobs eliminated in 2024 are tallied at 277,000, reflecting the work of the semi-official Department of Government Efficiency run by billionaire Elon Musk.
Another oil tanker is seized
The U.S. seized another oil tanker on Friday in the Caribbean Sea.
According to United Press International, the ship Olina was captured by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marines.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the ship was “suspected of carrying embargoed oil” and had attempted to “evade U.S. forces” as it departed from Venezuela.
The American forces that seized the ship launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and assumed control “without incident,” reported UPI.
Some of those ships seized are considered to be in such poor condition they cannot safely enter U.S. ports, so repairs will have to be made before they can dock in the United States.
AI helps state budget, but …
The budget proposed Friday by California Gov. Gavin Newsom will include a $3 billion deficit. But, according to the Los Angeles Times, that “hole” in the spending plan would have been a lot worse without rising revenues from the booming artificial intelligence industry.
His budget for 2026-67 is proposed for $348.9-billion with no new major “spending initiatives.” According to what The Times refers to as “non-partisan analysts,” with the AI money, the shortfall could be as large as $18 billion.
“This budget reflects both confidence and caution,” said Newsom in a statement. He said the state will “remain disciplined and focused on sustaining progress, not overextending it.”
Weather: A summer for a while
We probably won’t get much of it, but our West Orange County cities will be getting some summer-like conditions for a while. Saturday is predicted to have sunny skies with a daytime high of 73, with a low of 51. Sunday and Monday will warm to 78 (52) with mostly sunny skies. Tuesday will be slightly cooler at 77 (53) and sunny.
Great Thoughts (automobiles)
“A dream without ambition is like a car without gas. You’re not going anywhere.”
– Sean Hampton
“Life is too short to drive boring cars.”
– Elvis Presley
“Never lend your car to someone to whom you have given birth.”
– Erma Bombeck
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