Now at Noon - 9/5

1. The latest job report is out, and the numbers are slightly worse than expected. What is the potential impact of the numbers? A persistently weak jobs report could give the Federal Reserve more incentive to consider lowering interest rates to stimulate economic activity. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its target federal funds rate at its upcoming meeting on September 17th.

2. The City of La Crosse has filed a federal class action lawsuit against three fire truck manufacturers, including two headquartered in Brookfield and Oshkosh. The 66-page document details accusations that the companies conspired to limit the supply of fire trucks and drive up their price. The three companies listed in the complaint I've obtained include: Rev Group, Inc. from Brookfield, Oshkosh Corporation, and Rosenbauer America LLC based in South Dakota. Also listed as a defendant is the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association. The suit claims the companies monopolized the industry around the time of the Great Recession in 2008, when several smaller fire truck manufacturers closed up shop due to the stagnant economy and city budget belt tightening across the country. The City of La Crosse specifically said the $1 million price tag for a new fire truck to serve the city airport and the long wait time were too much for the City, which decided to make do with its current fleet. La Crosse Fire has already begun requesting funds for a replacement truck that it will not need until 2030. In January 2025, the Chicago fire department threw a mock thirtieth birthday celebration for one of its trucks, which the lawsuit states was older than many firefighters on the force. Oshkosh Corporation and Rosenbauer America have both publicly denied the allegations in the suit; Rev Group and the manufacturer's association have not commented.

3. The Packers begin the regular season Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, while Sunday's game should not be affected, 13 Wisconsin counties have been assigned home markets of the Vikings or Lions. Prompting Republican Congressman Tony Wied and Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin to draft the Go Pack Go Act. The Go Pack Go Act is a bipartisan bill aimed to ensure Wisconsinites can watch Green Bay Packers games no matter where they reside in the state. On November 2nd, the Packers, Vikings, and Lions are all slated to play at the same time and on the same network. That means Wisconsinites on the Minnesota border may be stuck with the Vikings and those on the Michigan border with the Lions. Those roughly 415,000 people in those 13 counties could be out of luck if they want to watch the Packers. To amend the Communications Act of 1934 and title 17. If passed, it would require providers to give all Wisconsin subscribers access to in-state broadcasts, though the status of its implementation is still being determined.