Marketplace The weak spot in this job market
18 snips
Jan 9, 2026 
Catherine Rampell, a seasoned opinion writer, and Kristen Schwab, an insightful Marketplace reporter, delve into the troubling rise of long-term unemployment, now at 26%. They discuss its implications for the economy and labor market fragility. Jessi Dean, founder of Asheville Tea Company, shares her experience of rebuilding post-Hurricane Helene, the challenges of accessing recovery aid, and adapting her supply chains in light of climate change. This conversation paints a vivid picture of today’s labor landscape and entrepreneurial resilience.
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Fragile Labor Market Beyond Headline Jobs
- The U.S. job market shows fragility with year-over-year job losses in many industries and weakness in blue-collar sectors.
- This suggests a fragile economy even though headline unemployment remains relatively low at 4.4%.
Hiring Recession Is Narrow And Unhealthy
- Hiring has slowed to the point where the report describes a 'hiring recession' with growth concentrated in hospitals and restaurants.
- That narrow hiring pattern makes the economy less dynamic and more precarious.
Premature Jobs Data Release Risks Markets
- Early release of jobs data by a president is a serious breach because these numbers move markets and create insider trading risks.
- Such leaks can harm ordinary investors and undermine trust in data protocols.