Sep 24, 2026New York City Economic Development Corporation
NYCEDC's monthly data briefing on the city's economy as of September 24, 2026: private-sector employment down 12,900 in August, unemployment at 4.8% after six straight monthly declines, labor force participation at 62.1%, median asking rent near $4,000, plus office visitation, tourism, and transit numbers.
Why I recommend it: The one-page-per-topic format makes this the fastest way to sound current on the NYC economy in an interview or a client meeting. Read the jobs and small-business pages; skip the real-estate detail unless it touches your field. It is a city agency's own read of its own economy, so pair it with the raw BLS numbers if you need the unspun version.
A free Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies brief (September 2026) on Black employment, wages, unemployment and the sectors driving the gaps.
Why I recommend it: Data you can quote. Useful if you are making the case for a hiring or pay decision and need a source rather than an opinion.
An essay weighing the argument that AI adoption could push unemployment into double digits, against the labor data we actually have so far.
Why I recommend it: I collect both the alarmed and the skeptical takes on AI and jobs on purpose. Read this next to the Census and Brookings data in this collection and form your own view rather than borrowing a headline.
Checklist: What to Do If You've Been Laid Off or Let Go
Practical first steps after losing a job — severance and paperwork, unemployment benefits, health coverage, references, and how to sequence your search in the first 30 days.
In plain terms: This guide outlines steps to handle the emotional and personal impact of losing a job. You can use it to establish healthy daily routines, find support, and prepare yourself before starting a new search.
Why I recommend it: Do the benefits and paperwork items in week one. Filing late for unemployment costs real money you can't get back.
Pick your state and get a direct link to its unemployment insurance filing system — the fastest route to a claim after a job loss.
In plain terms: This federal guide explains how unemployment insurance works across the United States. You can check basic eligibility rules and find your state agency to file a claim for benefits.
Why I recommend it: File the week you lose the job, even if you think you may not qualify. Rules vary by state.
