Federal Reserve announces first cut of interest rates this year

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced they have cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time this year by a quarter of a percentage point, in an effort to revive the flagging labor market.

Policymakers opted for the quarter-point cut to the Fed’s benchmark rate, in line with expectations. The rate was previously set at 4.25% to 4.50%. The vote for the quarter-point cut by the Fed’s rate-setting committee was 11 to 1. The sole dissenter, in favor of a half-point cut, was newly appointed governor Stephen Miran, who was sworn in this week (he is currently on leave but still maintains his title as chair of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers). Trump’s other appointed governors- Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller – both voted for the quarter-point cut.

The Fed cut reduces the federal funds rate — what banks charge each other for short-term loans — to between 4% and 4.25%, down from its prior range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The last time the central bank eased borrowing costs was in December 2024, when it also trimmed rates by a quarter of a percentage point. Federal Reserve officials are also penciling in two more rate cuts in 2025, but only one in 2026, according to the central bank’s summary of economic projections.

The Fed is guided by a dual mandate to keep inflation under control and maximize employment. In a statement on Wednesday, the FOMC indicated greater concern for slowing employment growth than for rising inflation. The FOMC said that “the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that downside risks to employment have risen.”

The latest policy move comes as the Federal Reserve is grappling with a difficult balancing act: bringing down inflation, which has been climbing again in recent months, while also trying to bolster a labor market that shows clear signs of weakening. Economists remain divided over whether lowering rates is the right course of action at this point; however, supporters of the rate cut argue that lower borrowing costs could give businesses more breathing room to expand and hire, while also easing the burden on consumers as credit card interest rates decline.

Signs of a slowdown in the job market are becoming harder to ignore. The August employment report showed only 22,000 new positions created, a number that fell far short of analysts’ forecasts. It also revealed that the country actually lost jobs in June. Since January, just 598,000 jobs have been added nationwide, a steep drop compared with the 1.4 million created during the same period last year. The unemployment rate inched up to 4.3% in August—the highest level seen outside of the pandemic since September 2017.

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Suspect in custody after ‘targeted attack’ on FBI field office in Pittsburgh

A suspect is in custody after being accused of ramming his car into the entrance gate of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field office on Wednesday, in what officials say was a ‘targeted attack.’

The FBI says that the suspect, Donald Henson of Penn Hills, used his car to ram the gate to the building around 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday.  FBI Pittsburgh Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Giordano said that after crashing into the gate, Henson grabbed an American flag from inside the vehicle and threw it over the gate before fleeing the scene. A spokesperson later confirmed to NBC News that the suspect was in custody and was at the FBI Pittsburgh office. No one was reported injured at the time of the crash.

Images from the scene obtained by NBC affiliate WPXI of Pittsburgh showed a white Toyota Corolla that had apparently driven into a metal fence. Footage from the scene also showed officers pulling a black bag out of the trunk using a winch.

The car the FBI says Henson used appeared to have some sort of message written on one of its side windows, which Giordano said investigators are still looking into and brought in a bomb squad to clear the vehicle. The car’s doors and trunk were all open, according to images from the scene, and the metal fence visibly slanted after the impact. Giordano said while holding up an image of the suspect: “We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI. This was a targeted attack on this building. Thankfully, no one was hurt.”

The FBI says that Henson visited the Pittsburgh office recently, with Giordano stating: “In scouring our indexes, we did find that he visited the field office a couple of weeks ago to make a complaint that didn’t make a whole lot of sense. We ran down everything that he came down with. It didn’t have a federal nexus. We contacted him to let him know there wasn’t a federal offense that we were able to charge.” The FBI also said he is believed to have a history of mental health issues and is believed to be a former member of the military.

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Washington Commanders sign veteran pass-rusher Preston Smith, place CB Jonathan Jones on IR

The Washington Commanders have signed veteran pass rusher Preston Smith, with the team also announcing Wednesday that cornerback Jonathan Jones has been placed on injured reserve.

Jones injured his hamstring in last Thursday’s loss to the Packers and will be out for a minimum of four games as a result. Jones signed with the Commanders in March after spending his first nine seasons with the Patriots. Over the first two weeks of the season, he had one tackle while playing 22 defensive snaps and 21 special teams snaps.

Jones’ move to IR opened up a roster spot for the return of Smith, 32, who rejoins Washington after beginning his NFL career with the team in 2015. During his first four years in Washington, Smith tallied 24.5 sacks before leaving for Green Bay as a free agent in 2019. Smith amassed 70.5 sacks (44 of which came during his tenure in Green Bay). He remained with the Packers until midway through last season, when he was traded to Pittsburgh for a seventh-round pick. He appeared in eight games and recorded two sacks last year with the Steelers.

Smith’s arrival also helps lessen the blow of losing defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who suffered a season-ending injury (torn left quadriceps) during the Commanders 27-18 loss to Green Bay last Thursday.

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NY Jets QB Justin Fields ruled out vs. Buccaneers with concussion; Tyrod Taylor to step in

As New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields continues to recover and remains in concussion protocol, head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Wednesday that Fields will not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Glenn also announced Wednesday that veteran Tyrod Taylor will start for the Jets on their first road game of the season.

The NFL has a five-step protocol for concussions, and the player must be cleared by an independent neurologist before returning to action. Glenn told reporters: “When it comes to injuries, one person that I think I’ll say is out right now would be Justin. He is still going through his protocol. So he will be out.”

Glenn also said of Taylor: “There is an element in him that we also have in Justin that I like a lot. The fact that he’s been in this league for a long time. There is no coverage, no pressure that he hasn’t seen. That’s why I have confidence in him.”

Fields sustained the concussion in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ 30-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in N.J., when he was sacked by Bills pass rusher Joey Bosa. The back of Fields’ helmet slammed the turf on the takedown by Bosa, which occurred with 14 minutes remaining in the game. Fields fumbled on the play but the Jets recovered and punted on fourth down. He was evaluated on the sideline before walking to the locker room with the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and left the game.

Before his exit last week, Fields completed 3 of 22 passes for 27 yards and ran for 49 yards. He was replaced by veteran QB Taylor, who completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards and a score. In his first two starts of the season, Fields has completed 19 of 33 (57.6%) of his passes for 245 yards and one score. He also ran for 97 yards and two scores for the Jets.

The Jets will play the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Tampa, Fla.

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Sam Hunt earns 11th No. 1 on country radio with “Country House’

Sam Hunt has earned his 11th solo #1 with his single “Country House, featured on his 2024 four-track EP titled “Locked Up.”

The milestone was celebrated on the Mediabase Instagram page, with the caption, “Sam Hunt is making himself at home at No. 1! “Country House” is his new chart-topper on the Mediabase Country chart. What a perfect summer anthem!”

The EP follows Hunt’s sophmore album “Southside,” which also landed at number one on the Billboard Country Album Charts.  Sam also scored the top spot with his previous hit songs  “Take Your Time,” “House Party” and “Body Like a Backroad,” with “Wishful Drinking” featuring Ingrid Andress becoming his twelfth number 1 hit at radio as an artist.

On a personal note, Hunt and his wife Hannah Lee Fowler welcomed their third baby earlier this spring, son Wayman Allen Hunt; they also share children Lucy Louise and Lowry Lee.

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Luke Bryan earns 32nd #1 single with “Country Song Came On”

Luke Bryan has earned his 32nd No. 1 single at country radio with “Country Song Came On,” written by Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley and Neil Medley.  ‘Country Song Came On’ appears on Bryan’s album ‘Mind Of A Country Boy,’ released last fall.

Bryan shares: “When I first heard this song, it took me right back to the clubs and honky-tonks I played before I got to Nashville. Ilove how the writers kept the simplicity in the track and let the lyric paint the story. WOW #32! I love standing on that stage for country fans more than ever. Thank you for showing up for me.”

Meanwhile, Bryan’s Country Song Came On Tour continues until its final show on Oct. 6 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

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ABC suspends ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ indefinitely regarding Charlie Kirk shooting comments

ABC’s late-night talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ has been suspended indefinitely following Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

During his Monday, Sept. 15 episode, Kimmel said the following: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

After Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s assassination came under harsh criticism from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Walt Disney-owned ABC said on Wednesday, Sept. 17, that it will indefinitely stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! A spokesperson for the network said in a statement: “‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”

The drastic move came after FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened to take action against ABC affiliates in the wake of Kimmel suggesting the Kirk shooting suspect was a MAGA Republican during a monologue earlier this week.

Nexstar Media Group Inc. had stated earlier on Wednesday that it would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its 32 ABC affiliates. Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said: “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located. Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, writing, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”

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ABC suspends ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ indefinitely regarding Charlie Kirk shooting comments

ABC’s late-night talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ has been suspended indefinitely following Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

During his Monday, Sept. 15 episode, Kimmel said the following: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

After Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s assassination came under harsh criticism from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Walt Disney-owned ABC said on Wednesday, Sept. 17, that it will indefinitely stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! A spokesperson for the network said in a statement: “‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”

The drastic move came after FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened to take action against ABC affiliates in the wake of Kimmel suggesting the Kirk shooting suspect was a MAGA Republican during a monologue earlier this week.

Nexstar Media Group Inc. had stated earlier on Wednesday that it would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its 32 ABC affiliates. Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said: “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located. Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, writing, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”

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Cardi B expecting her fourth child; reveals pregnancy after tour announcement

Cardi B revealed in an interview Wednesday with Gayle King on CBS Mornings that she is expecting her fourth child – her first child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Cardi, 32, told King in the interview: “I’m having a baby with my boyfriend, Stefon Diggs. I’m actually very, I’m excited. I’m happy. I feel like I’m in a good space. I feel very strong, I feel very powerful that I’m doing all this work, but I’m doing all this work while I’m creating a baby.”  Cardi went on to say of Diggs, 31: “Me and my man, we’re very supportive of each other. We’re like in the same space in our careers. I feel like we’re really great and one of the best at what we do. And me and him think the same way. ‘Yeah, you’re one of the greatest, but what’s next. What are we doing again? We have to do it again, all the time.’ We’re never, like, comfortable. We just have to keep going it and that’s just what we are.”

The rapper shares three children with ex-husband Offset: daughters Kulture Kiari, 7, and Blossom, 1, and son Wave. Diggs is also dad to an 8-year-old daughter named Nova, who was born in October 2016.  Cardi and Stefon have been linked together since October 2024, and went official after attending an NBA playoffs game together in May at Madison Square Garden.

Cardi B had just announced on Tuesday that she will hit the road for her first tour in six years. Dubbed the “Little Miss Drama Tour, ” the trek will serve as support of her long-awaited second studio album, “Am I The Drama?,” which drops on Friday, September 19. Am I the Drama? is her second full-length album after 2018’s Invasion of Privacy. The Little Miss Drama Tour marks Cardi B’s first full headlining arena run, and the biggest tour of her career.

The 30+ date tour will kick off on Wednesday, February 11 in Palm Desert, CA at Acrisure Arena and include stops across North America in Las Vegas, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, Vancouver, Austin, Chicago, MSG in New York, Toronto, Philadelphia and more before wrapping up on Friday, April 17 in Atlanta, GA at State Farm Arena.

To participate in the Cardi B Artist Presale on Tuesday, September 23 (10am local time), fans must sign up by Sunday, September 21 at 10pm PT at the link: HERE.

Tickets will be available for the general public on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. local time at cardib.com/tour.

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Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder, additional charges; prosecutors seeking death penalty

The man accused of assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 has been charged with murder.

Tyler Robinson, 22, faces a slew of offenses: felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Prosecutors announced their intent to seek the death penalty in the case; Robinson is being held without bail at Utah County Jail.

Jeff Gray, the Utah County attorney, said at an afternoon news conference: “The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy. Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas and a search for truth, understanding and a more perfect union. It is also an offense against the state and to the peace and enjoyment of the people of Utah and of all those who visit here.”

Robinson also made a virtual court appearance before a judge at the Utah Fourth District Court on Tuesday afternoon, appearing for the first time since being arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Kirk.

Robinson appeared emotionless as Judge Tony Graf Jr. read the charges against him, speaking only when asked to state his name, and nodding when Graf told him he would remain jailed without bail. Robinson has not yet been appointed an attorney; his next hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 29.

The judge also issued a protective order for Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk which bars Robinson from contacting her and warns of additional charges if he violates the order.

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