Workforce & Training: HUD’s sixth annual Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall put “Made in America” on display, including a first-ever Showcase Trades Day aimed at pulling more people into skilled trades. Pay & Hiring Policy: A new federal court order forces OPM to drop a “favorite Trump administration policy/executive order” question on job applications, reshaping how agencies screen federal candidates. Federal Contractor Compliance: The DOL’s new disability compliance rule took effect Sept. 21, removing certain disability-data collection duties for federal contractors while keeping anti-discrimination obligations. Labor Market Signals: Initial jobless claims edged down to 197,000, beating forecasts and suggesting steadier hiring conditions than feared. Cost Pressure: Mortgage rates topped 7% (30-year fixed at 7.03%), adding monthly affordability stress as inflation concerns linger. Equity & Jobs: Rep. Ayanna Pressley pushed federal job-guarantee legislation tied to at least $25/hour, citing higher unemployment burdens on Black workers and Black women. Cybersecurity & HR Risk: The FBI is investigating ShinyHunters’ claims it breached its job portal and exposed agents and applicants, raising fraud and harassment concerns. AI & Careers: Employers increasingly treat AI skills as a hiring requirement, with AI literacy showing up more often in U.S. job postings. Local Hiring: Avelo announced new nonstop routes from McKinney (Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville) starting in December, expanding the airport’s job-and-travel footprint.