The Job Market Can't Commit

What's Happening

Economy

The Job Market Can't Commit

What's going on: The employment numbers are finally here — weeks late due to the government shutdown. The headline isn’t great: Unemployment rose to 4.6% in November, up from 4.4% in September and the highest rate since fall 2021. Economists partly blame business costs and federal workforce cuts. But there was a bright spot: Employers added 64,000 jobs last month, somewhat reversing October’s drop, thanks largely to hiring in health care and construction. Still, skepticism remains. The Labor Department warned the shutdown disrupted data collection, which means the numbers may not tell the full story.

What it means: This report sends mixed signals — and uncertainty is the part that tends to make people nervous. Add in the fact that end-of-year layoffs no longer carry the stigma they once did (the Grinchiest economic bellwether we’ve ever heard of), and it’s understandable if your stress radar is going off. But don’t despair. If you’re employed, treat this as a nudge, not a red alert. Update that resume and keep your network warm, just in case. If you’re job hunting, don’t wait for January. Fewer people apply in December, which can give you an edge. If you’re feeling uneasy, layoff guides like this are helpful. Making these LinkedIn tweaks can’t hurt either. And remember: This isn’t a panic moment — but it may be a signal to shore up savings and avoid risky career moves.

Related: The Trump Admin Is Hiring a 1,000-Person “Tech Force” (CNBC)

The News In 5

🗞️ White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles stunned Washington with a very candid interview about the president, saying he “has an alcoholic’s personality.”

🗞️ The FDA expanded its approval of a libido pill to include postmenopausal women.

🗞️ Holiday return fees just got more common at some major stores. So…hope the shoe fits.  

🗞️ Instagram launched an app for TVs for this exclusive reason. How do we multitask now... 

🗞️ Donald Trump Jr. put a ring on it. Could his fiancée already be hinting at a White House ballroom celebration?

Tech

Is That Data Center Driving Up Your Power Bill?

What's going on: Three Democratic senators want to know whether the boom in Big Tech data centers is quietly driving up your electricity bill. In a letter to companies, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, they argue that AI data centers have pushed utility companies to spend billions on upgrading the grid. The lawmakers worry utilities will lock in those higher costs and pass them along to you — even if AI demand doesn’t pan out. Tech companies say they want to pay their “fair share,” but no one agrees on what that actually looks like. Seems like a crucial detail.

What it means: First, a grounding note: Electricity bills don’t rise for just one reason. Aging infrastructure, wildfire prevention, and power plant replacements all play a role. Data centers add a large new layer to that mix. Some states already feel the impact, especially where data centers are concentrated. Rising power costs even shaped recent elections in Georgia, New Jersey, and Virginia. In many markets, the key decisions happen at your state utility commission, where regulators usually decide who pays for grid upgrades. Public comment periods offer a rare chance for customers to push back — and regulators do pay attention. In the meantime consider alternatives, like switching to time-of-use plans or more efficient appliances. 

Related: Tech Companies Are Pitching Flying Taxis to the Pentagon (Business Insider)

Tech

AI Chatbots Are Wearing Lab Coats

What’s going on: AI has moved past planning vacations and writing emails. Now, it’s knocking on the science lab door — politely and under supervision. OpenAI’s GPT-5 just proved it can meaningfully assist with real-world research. In a partnership with biosecurity start-up Red Queen Bio, the model suggested improvements to lab protocols for the human scientists. The back-and-forth paid off: GPT-5 helped make a common lab process run about 79 times more efficiently. Still, this did happen in a tightly controlled, “benign” environment designed to avoid biosecurity risks. OpenAI called it “a novel improvement,” but didn’t want to go overboard with flattery. We just want to know how many times Chat used em dashes.

What it means: The bots aren’t curing cancer or conducting clinical trials anytime soon, but the tech’s presence in the lab could be the future of scientific research. Models like GPT-5 could take on the tedious, time-consuming tasks — testing variations, refining protocols, cutting costs — so human scientists can focus on the big ideas (and yes, occasionally yell “eureka!”). Researchers remain cautious: AI has a track record of being confidently wrong (in a really embarrassing way). It also has a habit of suggesting out-of-this-world ideas that no one can pull off without a magic wand — but A+ for effort. 

Related: Is Your Vibrator Working For “The Man”? (Wired)

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Former special counsel Jack Smith sits for a closed-door House Judiciary deposition on the Trump investigations.

🗓️ The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025 holiday special airs on ABC at 8 pm EST. The lineup is loaded with talent. 

🗓️ It’s National Maple Syrup Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a stack of pancakes. We like to make ours into fun shapes, thanks to this surprisingly easy tip.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Last-Minute Holiday Gifts 

At this point, you need gifts that’ll ship fast. Grab a few of these under-$25 options to fill out that space underneath the tree:

• Prequel’s fan-favorite hand cream

• The magic stick that makes diamonds sparkle

• And more of our favorite stocking stuffers

(More) gifts of the day: a silicone body scrubber, Speks fidget toys, and a tested migraine-relief stick 

*PS: Whether they’re eyeing the latest AirPods or craving a new binge-worthy show, Apple Gift Card takes the guesswork out of gifting.

Know It All

Which of these foods does not make an appearance in a popular holiday song?

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.