• The new jobs report for August is out, and it’s a good one.
• More than 201,000 jobs were added to the economy in August.
• The unemployment rate held steady at 3.9 percent – the lowest in 18 years.
• And here’s something: the number of people seeking unemployment benefits — a proxy for layoffs — amounted to just 203,000 last week, the fewest total in 49 years.
• Economists say the positive economic numbers are fueled by tax cuts, consumer confidence, and more government spending.
• Read more about the brand new jobs report HERE.

2. Almost done: last day of Kavanaugh hearings.

• The foolishness is almost over.
• The Senate Judiciary Committee went into the night with the hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• They’ll come back today for a final day that features testimony from witnesses supporting and opposing the nomination.
• Democrats continued to hammer Kavanaugh, some using the hearing as a personal political platform for themselves.
• Sen. Kamala Harris of California had an awkward exchange in which she attempted to read Kavanaugh’s mind.
• Sen. Cory Booker beclowned himself by making a big deal over how he was risking expulsion from the Senate for publicly releasing some Kavanaugh documents, only to have it revealed later that the documents were already public.
• All those exchanges are part of the updated story HERE.
• Republicans want to hold a confirmation vote by the end of the month so that Kavanaugh can be on the bench by the time the Supreme Court’s new term begins on October 1.
• After this week of ridiculousness, I don’t see Majority Leader Mitch McConnell waiting one day longer than he has to in scheduling a vote.

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• When Sen. Richard Shelby ascended to the Appropriations chairmanship earlier this year, everyone seemed to talk about how cool the top perch would be. But few talked about how difficult the job would be.
• It’s incredibly difficult, and Erica Werner’s piece in The Washington Post gets at how and why.
• Shelby has to balance the funding needs and desires of various political factions within his own party while keeping the President happy. And oh yeah, try not to let the government shut down.
• I really liked this quote he gave Erica:
• “You can’t do things unilaterally,” Shelby said in an interview. “You know, sometimes people that want their way, they claim ‘I’m the dealmaker, it’s my way,’ or whatever. I never approach negotiations like that. I try to find out what, for example, what do the Democrats really need, and what do they want, and can we do it. And what do we need, I’m speaking of the Republicans, and can they do it, and try to work through that.
• “So I don’t look at myself as a dealmaker, but maybe a veteran legislator.”
• Full piece HERE.

• One year ago, Shana Teehan experienced the unthinkable when her son, Jak died.
• Most Alabama politicos know Shana from her time working at the Alabama Republican Party or most recently for U.S. Sen. Luther Strange.
• The last year has been understandably difficult, and Shana has often shared memories of Jak on Facebook to help grieve and keep his memory alive.
• She’s now opening up and sharing her story by way of an op-ed in YellowHammer. It really is worth your time this morning.
  Stephen Gordon passes
• Yesterday came with more sad news: Stephen Gordon passed away. He was unable to recover after slipping into a coma last weekend.
• Stephen worked for various conservative and libertarian causes over the years, between Alabama and Washington, D.C. He was a really nice guy and fun to be around, even if you didn’t agree politically.
• Sincere condolences and prayers for his family today.