More jobs added:Â The U.S. economy added 311,000 jobs in February according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s slightly down from the average of 343,000 jobs added in each of the six months before February, but probably not low enough to result in the Federal Reserve Bank reducing the size of the next planned interest rate hike. The unemployment rate in February was 3.6%, up slightly from the 3.4% recorded in January.
Trump invited to testify:Â An attorney for Donald Trump confirms that Trump has been invited to testify next week before the Manhattan grand jury that is hearing evidence in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg issued the invitation for Trump to testify if he wishes. It is generally the case that subjects of criminal cases are given the opportunity to testify before a grand jury that is deciding whether to indict that person.
Ellis mocks McConnell:Â Trump Attorney Jena Ellis posted on Twitter a video of a tortoise rolling over and said that it was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized with a concussion as the result of a fall at a Washington hotel. Her attack on McConnell follows her being censured by Colorado’s court system for lying in court about Trump losing the 2020 election. When facing having her law license revoked for lying in court, Ellis admitted under oath that she knew that Trump lost the election and knowingly lied about. She volunteered to be censured instead of having her license to practice law revoked.
Drug cartel says it’s sorry:Â The Associated Press reported this morning that Mexican officials have received a letter from a Mexican drug cartel apologizing for the mistaken kidnapping of four Americans, which resulted in two of them being killed. A Mexican woman was killed by stray gunfire during the kidnapping. The Scorpions faction of the Gulf Cartel reportedly said it was turning over to authorities the people who were responsible for the incident.
Robert Blake dies:Â Actor Robert Blake has died in Los Angeles. He had heart disease and was 89 years old. Blake is remembered for his appearances in the movie “In Cold Blood” and the TV series “Baretta.” He got started in movies as a child, appearing in “Our Gang” short subjects. In 2005, Blake was acquitted of charges in the 2001 murder of his wife Bonney Lee Bakley.
Diplomatic relations:Â Iran and Saudi Arabia announced this morning that they have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and will be reopening embassies. The deal was struck in China, where representatives of Iran and Saudi Arabia had been meeting with China acting as a go-between. Iran and Saudi Arabia had been feuding for more than seven years.
Cover photo of Robert Blake in the 1967 film “In Cold Blood” courtesy Columbia Pictures
