News Wrap: April jobs report shows hiring still strong despite inflation

In our news wrap Friday, April's jobs report shows the U.S. gained 428,000 net jobs despite inflation, supply shortages and rising interest rates. Also, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will be allowed to seek reelection, the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein is poised to win elections in Northern Ireland, and the Census Bureau reports the median age of women giving birth has risen to 30.

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  • Judy Woodruff:

    On the "NewsHour" tonight: The conflict continues. Ukrainians begin to rebuild parts of their battered country, as Russian forces focus on the east, while first lady Jill Biden begins a four-day visit to nations on the edge of the war zone.

  • Then:

    speaking out. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discusses what the Ukraine war means for Vladimir Putin and warns of major setbacks if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

    Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State: As horrible assault as this is on women's rights, it is perhaps only the beginning of this court trying to undo so much of the progress of the last 50 years.

  • Judy Woodruff:

    And it's Friday. David Brooks and Karen Tumulty weigh in on the latest developments from the Supreme Court and what early primary results could mean for this year's midterms.

    All that and more on tonight's "PBS NewsHour."

    (BREAK)

  • Judy Woodruff:

    The April jobs report is out and it shows hiring is still going strong. The U.S. Labor Department says the economy scored a net gain of 428,000 jobs for the month.

    That means employers have added more than 400,000 jobs for 12 months in a row. The unemployment rate for April held steady at 3.6 percent, near its lowest level in 50 years. Economists today said the report is positive, but some warned that inflation and rising interest rates may yet take a toll.

  • John Leer, Chief Economist, Morning Consult:

    Maybe on the downside is that today's jobs numbers don't reflect a lot of the uncertainty going forward, so the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates. The impact of those rising rates is yet to be reflected in today's jobs report.

  • Judy Woodruff:

    The jobs numbers did little to improve the mood on Wall Street. After sliding further, the Dow Jones industrial average ended up — ended down another 98 points to close below 32900. The Nasdaq fell 173 points. That's nearly 1.5 percent. The S&P 500 was down 23. The Nasdaq and the S&P have fallen for five straight weeks, the most in more than 10 years.

    Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will be allowed to seek reelection in Georgia. A state judge today rejected a bid to disqualify her on the grounds that she played a significant role in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The Georgia secretary of state then accepted the finding.

    In the Middle East, Israeli security carried out a sweeping manhunt for two Palestinians suspected of killing three Israelis and wounding four last night near Tel Aviv. Witnesses and emergency workers said the attackers used axes. Hundreds of mourners turned out today at funerals for two of the victims.

    The attack was part of the worst wave of violence inside Israel in years.

    The Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein is poised tonight to win elections for a new assembly in Northern Ireland. It's the former political wing of the Irish Republican army, and its victory in today's voting would end years of domination by pro-British Protestants. Sinn Fein favors reuniting with Ireland, but any such move is likely years away.

    And back in this country, just ahead of Mother's day, the U.S. Census Bureau reports the median age of women giving birth has risen to 30, the highest on record. That comes as birth rates have declined for women in their 20s over the past three decades. At the same time, rates have risen for those in their late 30s and early 40s.

    Still to come on the "NewsHour": Hillary Clinton speaks out on the Supreme Court's expected decision to overturn Roe v. Wade; we examine the history of abortion rights and access in the United States; David Brooks and Karen Tumulty consider the week's political news; plus much more.

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