Featured Stories
Technology Sector Adds Jobs as Employer Demand for Tech Talent Remains Strong, CompTIA Finds
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Aug. 8 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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Technology sector adds jobs as employer demand for tech talent remains strong, CompTIA finds
More than 600,000 active job postings underscore continued opportunities for technology workers nationwide
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Organizations continued investing in technology talent in July, maintaining strong demand for tech workers despite signs of a moderating hiring market, according to CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral technology training and certifications.
Technology sector employment expanded by approximately
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DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Aug. 8 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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Technology sector adds jobs as employer demand for tech talent remains strong, CompTIA finds
More than 600,000 active job postings underscore continued opportunities for technology workers nationwide
-
Organizations continued investing in technology talent in July, maintaining strong demand for tech workers despite signs of a moderating hiring market, according to CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral technology training and certifications.
Technology sector employment expanded by approximately3,700 jobs in July, CompTIA's analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data shows.[1] New hiring for positions in cloud infrastructure, data processing and hosting, information services and semiconductor manufacturing drove July's job growth.
Employer demand for new tech talent remained strong, with nearly 603,000 active job postings nationwide and across all industry sectors, CompTIA's analysis of data from Lightcast job posting data finds.[2] Although total postings eased 2% from June levels, employers added almost 260,000 new postings during the month, underscoring continued hiring activity for tech workers.
"As expected, new job postings are leveling off after growing throughout 2026, but there is still strong demand for foundational roles across support, infrastructure and data as companies begin deeper integration of AI into technology strategies," said Seth Robinson, vice president, research, for CompTIA.
Technology occupation employment, which includes tech professionals working in all industry sectors, decreased by 26,000 workers in July, though the unemployment rate for tech occupations inched down from 2.9% in June to 2.8% last month.[3]
"Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, employers continue to prioritize technology talent as a strategic investment in future growth," Robinson said.
Demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills remained significant, with nearly 14,000 job postings in July seeking AI and machine learning expertise. At the same time, employers sought out talent for established tech roles at a much greater scale, including software developers (46,082 postings), systems engineers (34,454), tech support specialists (24,370) and data analysts (18,809).
Industries generating the greatest demand for tech talent included professional, scientific and technical services, manufacturing, administrative and support services, information and finance and insurance.
The "CompTIA Tech Jobs Report" is available at https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/tech-jobs-report/.
[1] Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions.
[2] Active job postings include new postings added by employers in the latest month and open postings carried over from previous months.
[3] Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility.
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About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.
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Original text here: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/about-us/news/press-releases/Technology-sector-adds-jobs-as-employer-demand-for-tech-talent-remains-strong-CompTIA-finds/
[Category: Computer Technology]
SEMI Applauds Statement From Senators Crapo and Wyden Supporting U.S. Tax Credit for Semiconductor Manufacturing
MILPITAS, California, Aug. 8 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release on Aug. 6, 2026:
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SEMI Applauds Statement from Senators Crapo and Wyden Supporting U.S. Tax Credit for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Following Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) reaffirming support for the Section 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC), SEMI today released a statement from its President and CEO Ajit Manocha commending the action on behalf of the semiconductor
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MILPITAS, California, Aug. 8 -- SEMI, an association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the electronics industry, issued the following news release on Aug. 6, 2026:
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SEMI Applauds Statement from Senators Crapo and Wyden Supporting U.S. Tax Credit for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Following Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) reaffirming support for the Section 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC), SEMI today released a statement from its President and CEO Ajit Manocha commending the action on behalf of the semiconductorsupply chain.
"The joint statement from senators Crapo and Wyden in support of the Section 48D tax credit highlights the crucial role it plays in strengthening U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, creating jobs, and advancing national security," said SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha. "Last month we shared on Capitol Hill how the looming AMIC expiration adds uncertainty for our member companies in the semiconductor supply chain, some of whom are actively planning to expand operations to meet rising chip demand, and we applaud the senators' leadership for this pivotal tool in attracting semiconductor ecosystem investment."
SEMI brought together senior tax executives from its member companies for meetings on July 22, 2026, on Capitol Hill focused on preserving and strengthening the Section 48D tax credit for investments in building up the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem. As part of the SEMI Tax Day event, industry representatives urged swift passage of a multi-year extension of the tax credit before it lapses at the end of the year.
Background on Section 48D Tax Credit
* Enacted under the CHIPS and Science Act, the Section 48D credit provides a refundable 35% tax credit for qualified investment in semiconductor and semiconductor manufacturing equipment facilities.
* The tax credit has helped catalyze hundreds of billions of dollars in announced U.S. semiconductor investment across 28 states.
* Under current law, facilities must begin construction by December 31, 2026, to qualify, which is out of step with the multi-year timelines required to site, permit, finance, and build a semiconductor facility.
* Major semiconductor producing economies worldwide are competing aggressively for semiconductor investments with similar tax incentives.
SEMI Request on Section 48D Tax Credit
* MSEMI's request is a multi-year extension of Section 48D ahead of the construction deadline.
* SEMI also urges Congress to strengthen the credit by expanding eligibility to cover more of the full semiconductor supply chain, including materials, specialty chemicals and gases, and design activities.
View the SEMI 2026 U.S. Policy Strategy to learn more about SEMI's top policy priorities. For updates on SEMI's public policy efforts and developments, visit SEMI Global Advocacy.
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About SEMI
SEMI(R) is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON(R) expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.
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Original text here: https://www.semi.org/en/semi-press-release/semi-applauds-statement-from-senators-crapo-and-wyden-supporting-us-tax-credit-for-semiconductor-manufacturing
[Category: Electronic Products]
RILA Applauds Senate Passage of The Common Cents Act
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 8 [Category: Business] -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association issued the following news release:
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RILA Applauds Senate Passage of The Common Cents Act
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The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement after Senate passage of The Common Cents Act, bipartisan legislation addressing the nation's ongoing penny circulation problems:
"Retailers celebrate the passage of The Common Cents Act. This legislation marks a significant victory for the retail industry by providing much-needed clarity for cash transactions, reducing operational
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 8 [Category: Business] -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association issued the following news release:
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RILA Applauds Senate Passage of The Common Cents Act
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The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement after Senate passage of The Common Cents Act, bipartisan legislation addressing the nation's ongoing penny circulation problems:
"Retailers celebrate the passage of The Common Cents Act. This legislation marks a significant victory for the retail industry by providing much-needed clarity for cash transactions, reducing operationalchallenges caused by the penny shortage, and establishing a consistent national standard for rounding practices. The challenges stemming from the penny shortage have negatively impacted millions of Americans and the businesses in their communities. We applaud Congress for keeping their focus on this much needed legislation and providing legal certainty for businesses that follow uniform rounding procedures, enabling retailers to better serve customers in an environment where exact change is often difficult to provide," said Evan Armstrong, RILA's senior vice president of government affairs.
Media Contact: press@rila.org
RILA is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.
RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $2.7 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and hundreds of thousands of stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
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Original text here: https://www.rila.org/newsroom/press-releases/2026/08/retailers-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-penny-legislation
National Peanut Board Approves FY-27 Plans for Continuing Industry Momentum
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 8 [Category: Agriculture] -- The National Peanut Board issued the following news:
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National Peanut Board Approves FY-27 Plans for Continuing Industry Momentum
U.S. peanut growers on the National Peanut Board (NPB) unanimously approved the proposed fiscal year 2027 (FY-27) Program of Work and $13.1 million budget during the 2026 Board Meeting that took place from July 27 - 30 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Building on the strong progress of FY-26, representatives of peanut-growing states aligned on the organization's strategic direction for the fiscal year that will
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 8 [Category: Agriculture] -- The National Peanut Board issued the following news:
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National Peanut Board Approves FY-27 Plans for Continuing Industry Momentum
U.S. peanut growers on the National Peanut Board (NPB) unanimously approved the proposed fiscal year 2027 (FY-27) Program of Work and $13.1 million budget during the 2026 Board Meeting that took place from July 27 - 30 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Building on the strong progress of FY-26, representatives of peanut-growing states aligned on the organization's strategic direction for the fiscal year that willbegin November 1, 2026.
Board members discussed NPB's industry-unifying "It's Not Nuts. It's Peanuts." brand platform and its corresponding launch campaign that rolled out mid-May. They evaluated how the platform has already started elevating consumer awareness of the unique value proposition of U.S.-grown peanuts, and reviewed areas of opportunity to continue the exciting momentum.
The Board approved NPB's proposed FY-27 Program of Work and associated budget, which outlines the planned investments across promotion, research and education. The plan will advance NPB's steadfast commitment to increasing consumer demand of American peanuts while further accelerating production research.
For the upcoming fiscal year, NPB will focus on how peanut products fuel performance, specifically targeting Gen Z in spaces where they spend most of their time. Consumer promotion investment will prioritize a consistent presence across sports partnerships, social media, connected TV, influencer engagements, retail marketing, experiential moments, college campus programs, and much more. NPB will pursue new initiatives to reach more parents and healthcare providers about early introduction and peanut allergy prevention, while engaging foodservice professionals to expand peanut presence on school, college, and university menus. The Board will also continue its intentional support of innovative peanut research projects.
"Every decision made during this meeting was centered on creating long-term value for our fellow peanut farmers," said Neal Baxley, chairman of the National Peanut Board. "Our collective support of groundbreaking programs is building confidence in a more prosperous future for this industry."
In addition to strategic planning sessions, Board members participated in a South Carolina agricultural tour to learn more about the state's rich agricultural heritage and community impact. Stops included the South Carolina FFA Camp, L.W. Paul Living History Farm and the Horry County Museum, providing members with valuable perspectives on the region's local agriculture.
"We've had a major year creating the consumer brand of USA Peanuts," said Ryan Lepicier, President & CEO of the National Peanut Board. "This meeting was a critical moment to reflect on all we've achieved together and align on our ambitions for another big year of driving substantial results."
The FY-27 Program of Work and budget will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for review and approval. For more information about the National Peanut Board and its initiatives, visit www.nationalpeanutboard.org.
About the National Peanut Board
The National Peanut Board represents America's peanut farmers and administers a national research, promotion and education program funded by U.S. peanut producers. Through strategic investments in nutrition, production research, consumer marketing and industry outreach, NPB works to build demand for U.S.-grown peanuts and peanut products while supporting the long-term success of peanut farming families.
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Original text here: https://nationalpeanutboard.org/articles/national-peanut-board-approves-fy-27-plans-for-continuing-industry-momentum/
National Association of Home Builders: Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The National Association of Home Builders issued the following news release on Aug. 6, 2026:
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Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 43, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The National Association of Home Builders issued the following news release on Aug. 6, 2026:
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Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 43, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, downeight points year-over-year.
The MPI measures builder and developer sentiment about current production conditions in the apartment and condo market on a scale of 0 to 100. The index and all its components are scaled so that a number below 50 indicates that more respondents report conditions are poor than report conditions are good.
The MPI is a weighted average of four key market segments: three in the built-for-rent market (garden/low-rise, mid/high-rise and subsidized) and one in the built-for-sale (or condominium) market. The component measuring garden/low-rise units dipped two points to 48, the component measuring mid/high-rise units fell four points to 32, the component measuring subsidized units dropped seven points to 54 and the component measuring built-for-sale units increased three points to 38.
The MOI measures the multifamily housing industry's perception of occupancies in existing apartments on a scale of 0 to 100. The index and all its components are scaled so that a number above 50 indicates more respondents report that occupancy is good than report it is poor. While the reading of 74 indicates existing apartment owners are positive about occupancy overall, it is significantly weaker than it was a year ago.
The MOI is a weighted average of three built-for-rent market segments (garden/low-rise, mid/high-rise and subsidized). Although all three components declined year-over-year, they all remained above the break-even point of 50. The component measuring garden/low-rise units fell seven points to 77, the component measuring mid/high-rise units dropped 11 points to 62 and the component measuring subsidized units decreased eight points to 82.
"Multifamily developer sentiment is currently constrained by regulatory barriers and difficulty obtaining financing," said Kip Lewis, director of construction management at OCCH in Columbus, Ohio, and chairman of NAHB's Multifamily Council. "The recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act should provide some help with respect to these challenges, but these policies will take time to implement. Meanwhile, rental housing demand is being supported by improving job growth during the second quarter of 2026."
"It is clear that supply-side headwinds continue to weigh on multifamily developer sentiment," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz "In addition to relatively high interest rates and other financing issues, developers are finding it difficult to obtain approvals and utility connections in some parts of the country. High material prices and shortages of skilled labor also remain significant impediments."
The MMS was re-designed in 2023 to produce results that are easier to interpret and consistent with the proven format of other NAHB industry sentiment surveys. Until there is enough data to seasonally adjust the indices, changes in the MPI and MOI should only be evaluated on a year-over-year basis.
For more recent information about the market, the survey contains a separate question asking multifamily developers to compare current market conditions to conditions three months earlier. In the second quarter of 2026, 14% of respondents said the current market is better, and 15% said it is worse. However, the majority of developers--71%--said that the market is currently about the same as it was three months ago.
For additional information on the MMS, visit nahb.org/mms.
For more information on the NAHB Multifamily program, please visit NAHB Multifamily.
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Original text here: https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2026/08/multifamily-developer-confidence-weakens-in-second-quarter
[Category: Real Estate]
Frustrated by Farm Bill Failure, NCGA President Calls for Urgent Bipartisan Action
CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Aug. 8 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news:
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Frustrated by Farm Bill Failure, NCGA President Calls for Urgent Bipartisan Action
Author: Bryan Goodman
The Agriculture Act of 2026 failed to garner enough votes to pass out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today. The bill, also commonly referred to as "Farm Bill 2.0", included many corn grower priorities, such as language that would allow for the year-round sale of fuels with 15% ethanol blends.
In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National
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CHESTERFIELD, Missouri, Aug. 8 -- The National Corn Growers Association issued the following news:
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Frustrated by Farm Bill Failure, NCGA President Calls for Urgent Bipartisan Action
Author: Bryan Goodman
The Agriculture Act of 2026 failed to garner enough votes to pass out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today. The bill, also commonly referred to as "Farm Bill 2.0", included many corn grower priorities, such as language that would allow for the year-round sale of fuels with 15% ethanol blends.
In response to this development, Ohio farmer and NationalCorn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement:
"We are extremely disappointed that legislation important to so many Americans failed to advance. This bill was particularly important to corn growers who have long pushed for legislation that would allow for the year-round sale of E15, a bright spot in an otherwise dim economic outlook.
"We implore senators to approve a bipartisan farm bill that extends consumer access to E15 and serves the interests of America's farmers. We are running out of time in this Congress and urge action as quickly as possible."
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Bryan Goodman
Sr. Director, Policy Communications, Media Relations
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Original text here: https://www.ncga.com/stay-informed/media/in-the-news/article/2026/08/frustrated-by-farm-bill-failure-ncga-president-calls-for-urgent-bipartisan-action
[Category: Agriculture]
Alliance Celebrates the Introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Aug. 8 -- The National Alliance for Care at Home issued the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Alliance Celebrates the Introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026
Today, the Alliance applauds the introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026 (S.B. 5250) by Senator Collins (R-ME) and Senator Blackburn (R-TN). This important piece of legislation will provide core payment integrity reforms by correcting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) flaws in calculating Medicare
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ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Aug. 8 -- The National Alliance for Care at Home issued the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Alliance Celebrates the Introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026
Today, the Alliance applauds the introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026 (S.B. 5250) by Senator Collins (R-ME) and Senator Blackburn (R-TN). This important piece of legislation will provide core payment integrity reforms by correcting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) flaws in calculating Medicarerate updates, while also streamlining program integrity measures to target fraud concerns early, stopping bad actors from entering the Medicare program. Critically, this legislation does not rely on sweeping enforcement strategies which risk further restricting access to care for Medicare beneficiaries and causing unintended harm to legitimate providers.
The Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protect Act seeks to restore the Medicare home health rate to what it would have been without consecutive years of compounding cuts. Those cuts were built on data entirely unrelated to the payment system adopted in 2020, along with data tainted by the inclusion of fraudulent providers in the rate analysis. This is an important step in modernizing the home health benefit, ensuring that beneficiary access is not disrupted by providing payment rates that better reflect the true cost of care.
The program integrity reforms included in this legislation build on the industry supported bill from Representative Beth Van Duyne in the Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act (H.R. 8883), which gives CMS stronger tools to combat healthcare fraud without imposing unnecessary burdens on legitimate providers.
"The National Alliance for Care at Home applauds the introduction of the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act of 2026 by Senator Collins. This bill corrects longstanding flaws in home health reimbursement and takes a meaningful step toward a home health benefit that is stable and built for how care is delivered today. We strongly support the bill for its payment reforms, as well as measures to protect patients and preserve the integrity of the Medicare home health benefit." said Jennifer Sheets, CEO of the Alliance. "Consistent with our community's commitment to provide the highest-quality, person-centered care in the home, we support the bill's goal to strengthen access while focusing on targeted oversight, protecting the legitimate providers who serve patients every day. We look forward to working with Senator Collins, a long-time champion of care at home, to build support for this important and timely legislation."
"When billions of dollars are improperly siphoned from the Medicare home health program, this can undermine the integrity of the payment system used to reimburse legitimate providers and threaten care for the seniors who depend on it. I have long been a strong supporter of home health care, which allows millions of Americans to remain in the comfort, security, and privacy of their own homes, while helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and nursing home admissions," said Senator Collins. "Fraudulent home health providers harm beneficiaries and diminish reimbursements for honest agencies that are already confronting workforce shortages and rising costs. My legislation would give CMS stronger tools to stop fraud before payments are made and prevent fraudulent spending from distorting the data used to reimburse honest agencies for medically necessary care."
The Alliance will continue to serve as a key partner to lawmakers and regulators working to reform and protect the Medicare home health benefit, ensuring that payment rates better reflect the true cost of care.
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About the National Alliance for Care at Home
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is the leading authority in advancing care in the home. We envision an America where everyone has access to the highest quality, person-centered healthcare wherever they call home. Through advocacy, education, and convening, we connect providers and stakeholders to strengthen care delivery across the home-based care continuum -- spanning home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and Medicaid home and community-based services. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.
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Original text here: https://allianceforcareathome.org/the-alliance-celebrates-the-introduction-of-the-medicare-home-health-payment-integrity-and-protection-act-of-2026/
[Category: Health Care]
