Fed Cuts Interest Rates Amid Labor Market Struggles – A Shift Toward Employment Support

In a decisive move on September 17, 2025, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing it to a range of 4.00%–4.25%. This marks the Fed’s first rate cut of the year and signals a strategic pivot toward supporting a weakening labor market.

Recent economic data revealed troubling signs:

• August job growth was just 22,000, far below expectations

• Unemployment rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2017 (excluding pandemic years)

• Wage growth has slowed, and hiring momentum has stalled

Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that “downside risks to employment have risen,” suggesting that job preservation now outweighs inflation concerns.

Despite the rate cut, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, climbing to 2.9% in August. However, Powell noted that the labor market’s weakness may help ease price pressures over time.

The Fed’s dot plot indicates two more rate cuts are likely before year-end. Economists expect a cautious approach, balancing inflation control with employment support.

UMass Boston Shooting, All Clear After Police Respond to Report of Shots Fired at UMass Boston

 UMass Boston Shooting,

Areport of shots fired at the University of Massachusetts Boston on Thursday afternoon prompted a heavy police response and campus lockdown, authorities reported.

The incident, later deemed all clear, was reported around 3:45 p.m. near 240 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, close to a residence hall in the East Building, according to WCVB in Boston.

Boston Police Department initially told Newsweek that there had been reports of shots fired, but there had been no confirmation.

"Multiple units responded and are actively investigating the building and surrounding area," a Boston PD spokesperson said at around 4:40 p.m. ET. "At this time, there has been no confirmation of shots fired and no confirmation of any individuals with firearms on campus."

At around 5:11 p.m., the UMass Boston emergency alert system issued an update that the police had declared the incident all clear.

"There is no ongoing threat to the community," the post on X read.

The incident in Boston comes during weeks of multiple shooting and firearms incidents on school and college campuses across the U.S., including the death of conservative voice Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University and a shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado.

Other unspecified threats were also received by Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Thursday.

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