Sluggish hiring closes out frustrating year for job seekers, but unemployment slips to 4.4%
Economists were encouraged by the lower unemployment rate, which had risen in the previous four straight reports.
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IU, Oregon coaches and coordinators juggle transfer portal chaos amid playoff race
In October, the Indianapolis-based NCAA shifted from two portal windows to one. The 15-day transactional window now spans from Jan. 2-16, giving players and coaches alike just over two weeks to set themselves up for success the following season.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gets his 1,000th victory after monthlong wait as team ends 13-game skid
Carlisle became the 11th NBA coach to reach the milestone when the Pacers won 114-112 at Charlotte. He’s the first coach to join the group since Doc Rivers in November 2021.
Trump wants government to buy $200B in mortgage bonds to bring down mortgage rates
The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was about 6.2% on Thursday, down from nearly 7% when President Donald Trump took office.
Immigration policies, lower fertility rate slow US growth projection, budget office says
The U.S. population is projected to grow by 15 million people in 30 years, a smaller estimate than in previous years.
Google adds new AI features to Gmail, turning it into a personal assistant
Gmail’s new AI options will only be available in English within the U.S. for starters, but the company is promising to expand the technology to other countries and other languages as the year unfolds.
Slightly more Americans filed for jobless benefits in last week of 2025, but layoffs remained low
The Labor Department reported that businesses posted far fewer jobs in November than the previous month, a sign that employers aren’t yet ramping up hiring even as growth has picked up.
Trump officials loosening strings on federal education money for conservative states
Education Secretary Linda McMahon approved Iowa’s plan Wednesday. Indiana and Kansas have also applied to be exempted from certain parts of federal education law, and leaders of other states have expressed interest.
Warner Bros rejects Paramount takeover again, tells shareholders to stick with Netflix bid
Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures—and urged shareholders to back its the sale of its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. Paramount, meanwhile, has made efforts to sweeten its $77.9 billion hostile offer for the entire company.
Job openings slide to 2nd lowest level in 5 years as hiring remains sluggish
The report suggests that the “low-hire, low-fire” job market remains in effect, with workers enjoying some job security but those out of work struggling to find new jobs.
Rep. Jim Baird expected to make full recovery after car crash, his office says
Baird, 80, represents Indiana’s 4th District, which includes much of Boone, Hendricks and Morgan counties.
US cuts number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians
The United States took the unprecedented step Monday of reducing the number of vaccines it recommends for every child—a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.
Irsay-Gordon: Bringing back Steichen, Ballard comes with ‘sense of urgency’
In her most significant decision since taking over the franchise’s day-to-day operations, Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon ignored the urge to fire her coach and general manager.
US-based multinational companies to be exempt from global tax deal
The amended version excludes large U.S.-based multinational corporations from the 15% global minimum tax after negotiations between President Donald Trump’s administration and other members of the Group of Seven wealthy nations.
Trump’s plan to seize, revitalize Venezuela’s oil industry faces hurdles
President Donald Trump said he plans to ask American companies to take over Venezuela’s oil industry after capturing President Nicolás Maduro in a raid.
Oregon’s Lanning and Indiana’s Cignetti hope to outwit each other as teams meet again in CFP
Cignetti said his study sessions ahead of the Hoosiers’ rematch with Oregon have been derailed as he and the campus host more than a dozen prospective players from the transfer portal.
Indiana routs Alabama for its first Rose Bowl victory, roaring into College Football Playoff semifinals
The win is Indiana’s first Rose Bowl title and the program’s first bowl game win since the Copper Bowl in 1991.
Stock market falls in light trading on final day of 2025, but enjoys another big year
All of the major U.S. stock indexes posted double-digit gains in 2025, in a market driven by both optimism and uncertainty.
Trump made many tariff threats in 2025, but some never materialized
Some of Trump’s unrealized threats reflect a broader approach from a president with a track record of using sky-high levies to pressure other countries into new trade deals.
Rare rainy day expected for Rose Parade, Rose Bowl as IU fans make trip
For the first time in 20 years, rain is expected to intrude on the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl in Southern California. Thousands of Indiana University fans are expected to make the trip.