© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

PBS News Hour

The mounting economic challenges weakening the job market

Season 2026 Episode 9 | 7m 25s

The U.S. economy added a modest 50,000 jobs in December. It was below expectations and capped the weakest year for job growth since the pandemic. Employers added a total of 584,000 jobs for all of 2025, a big drop from the 2 million created in 2024. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4%, but the jobs report points to a soft market. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Watch • 5:45
PBS News Hour
Dermatologist explains benefits of new sunscreen ingredient
Dermatologist explains benefits of newly approved sunscreen ingredient
Clip: S2026 E122 | 5:45
Watch • 6:28
PBS News Hour
Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright on war's impact on midterms
Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright on the Iran war's lasting impact on midterm politics
Clip: S2026 E122 | 6:28
Watch • 8:58
PBS News Hour
Trump hails Iran deal as G7 summit begins in Europe
Trump hails Iran deal as G7 summit begins in Europe
Clip: S2026 E122 | 8:58
Watch • 5:02
PBS News Hour
Iran deal a strategic defeat for Israel, Mideast expert says
U.S.-Iran deal a 'strategic defeat' for Israel, Middle East expert says
Clip: S2026 E122 | 5:02
Watch • 5:14
PBS News Hour
How Israelis are responding to Trump's Iran peace plan
How Israelis are responding to Trump's Iran peace plan
Clip: S2026 E122 | 5:14
Watch • 5:45
PBS News Hour
Monica McNutt on the wait for a Knicks championship
Monica McNutt reflects on the decades-long wait for a Knicks championship
Clip: S2026 E122 | 5:45
Watch • 6:56
PBS News Hour
Book traces American celebration of freedom and denial of it
New book explores America's history of celebrating freedom while excluding millions
Clip: S2026 E122 | 6:56
Watch • 7:13
PBS News Hour
News Wrap: Newsom says Trump ordering DOJ to investigate him
News Wrap: Newsom says Trump ordering DOJ to investigate him and wife
Clip: S2026 E122 | 7:13
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
June 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E122 | 57:46
Watch • 6:22
PBS News Hour
UFC at White House spotlights Trump's partnership with White
White House UFC event spotlights Trump’s decades-long partnership with Dana White
Clip: S2026 E121 | 6:22