WAMU

The job market stays red-hot with the unemployment rate near a pre-pandemic low

Scott Horsley — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:01:00 +0000

U.S. employers added 390,000 jobs in May as the labor market stays hot. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%.

In the current economy, it’s a good time to be looking for work

Array — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:31:00 +0000

The Labor Department releases its monthly jobs report Friday. An unusually tight labor market has added to inflation worries.

Listen: Guess what? The Virginia General Assembly finally passed a budget

Esther Ciammachilli, Kojo Nnamdi, Ayan Sheikh — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:17:11 +0000

Now all eyes are on Governor Glenn Youngkin as he considers what the General Assembly has sent to him.

How the U.S. used a parrot and Carmen Miranda to strengthen relations with Brazil

Philip Reeves — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:14:00 +0000

Relations between the U.S. and Brazil are strained by conflicting alliances in the Ukraine war. Decades ago, a Disney cartoon parrot and Carmen Miranda once played a part in U.S.-Brazilian diplomacy.

Kasha Patel: Why we should use comedy to explain science

Array — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:25:00 +0000

Can humor help us learn about the world? Science writer and comedian Kasha Patel thinks so. She applies the scientific method to stand-up comedy, and uses humor to teach science.

Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas: Why good humor makes for good business

Array — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:25:00 +0000

Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach a class at Stanford's business school called 'Humor: Serious Business.' They say humor is vastly undervalued in business and is key to good leadership.

Vinith Misra: How can our relationships with computers be funnier and friendlier?

Array — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:25:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence and people often struggle to seamlessly interact. Computer scientist Vinith Misra shares how computational humor could help bridge the gap between humans and their machines.

Marcia Belsky: That time when NASA (almost) sent Sally Ride to space with 100 tampons

Array — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:25:00 +0000

Ahead of her 1983 space flight, NASA suggested sending astronaut Sally Ride with 100 tampons for the week-long trip. (That's too many.) In 2020, comedian Marcia Belsky sang a song about it.

The News Roundup – Domestic

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:30:53 +0000

A shooter kills four in Tulsa. The House moves to ban assault weapons.

The News Roundup – International

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:27:40 +0000

Russia says the U.S. is adding fuel to the fire in Ukraine. China’s cabinet meets to jumpstart the country’s economy.