Public schools shed 50,000 jobs, with Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania among hardest hit

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, far below forecasts, with local public schools shedding nearly 50,000 positions amid budget pressures. Economists say seasonal adjustment may have amplified the school decline. Pandemic-era federal aid has expired, enrollment is falling, and districts in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania have reported cuts. Private employers added 30,000 jobs, but restaurants, bars and retailers lost positions. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent, but only because fewer people sought work. May and June job gains were revised down by 103,000 combined, reflecting a weakening labor market.