Labor Market Watch: Initial U.S. jobless claims fell to 203,000 (week ended Aug. 22), beating forecasts and pointing to rare layoffs even as hiring stays soft. Workforce & Training: Boeing will more than double its North Charleston registered apprenticeship slots to 1,000+ over two years, aiming to route more students into skilled manufacturing without a four-year degree. Local Hiring Push: Walmart announced a $1.3B automated fulfillment center in Carnesville, GA, creating 1,000 jobs. Skills Pipeline in Rural America: Wakulla Environmental Institute is expanding a drone program that helps residents earn FAA Part 107 certification for roles in inspection, public safety, and environmental monitoring. Higher Ed Under Pressure: Federal funding uncertainty is driving universities to shrink Ph.D. programs, with doctoral students reporting fewer stable paths into research careers. AI in HR: A new look at AI bias warns automated hiring tools can trigger racial and systemic rejection, raising legal and reputational risk for employers. Policy/Jobs Climate: Trump’s war on offshore wind is leaving workers in limbo as projects stall or get canceled. DEI Compliance Risk: DOJ says Deloitte will pay $21.5M over alleged discriminatory DEI practices tied to false claims under federal contracts.