EXAMPLE Checked 2026-10-13
Jobs & unemployment
“Unemployment was 4.2% in September 2026.”
Bottom line
Accurate. The BLS reported 4.2%, which it called little changed. Each side stresses something different: EPI points to weak hiring and wages, while Heritage questions how reliable the monthly numbers are. The BLS itself revised July and August down by a combined 60,000 jobs.
Left view
Economic Policy Institute (EPI) · left-leaning
Focuses on weak hiring and slowing wages for workers.
“Nominal wage growth continued to decelerate in Sept, rising just 3.0% over the year. Slowing nominal wage growth suggests workers don’t have the leverage to bid up their wages.”
Weak September jobs report shows hiring and wage growth slow (Oct. 2, 2026)
Right view
The Heritage Foundation · right-leaning
Questions the reliability of BLS monthly estimates. Written before the September report.
“Ever since the pandemic, these labor market estimates have been wildly inaccurate and required significant revisions.”
The Tale of the Disappearing Jobs Numbers (E.J. Antoni, Mar. 18, 2026)
Just the Facts
Primary / official data only
The unemployment rate was 4.2% and payrolls rose by 29,000.
“Both nonfarm payroll employment (+29,000) and the unemployment rate (4.2 percent) changed little in September”
BLS, The Employment Situation — September 2026 (USDL-26-1549)The rate has stayed between 4.1% and 4.3% since March.
“The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent since March.”
BLS (same release)July and August were revised down by a combined 60,000 jobs.
“With these revisions, employment in July and August combined is 60,000 lower than previously reported.”
BLS (same release)Average hourly earnings were up 3.0% over 12 months.
“Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.0 percent.”
BLS (same release)
Who’s the publisher?
Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
Who runs it: “EPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.” About page
What data it collects: We couldn’t load EPI’s privacy policy when we checked on 2026-10-13, so we don’t describe what data it collects. Look for the privacy link in the footer of epi.org.
The Heritage Foundation
Who runs it: “The Heritage Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.” About page
What data it collects (privacy policy):
- “We collect IP addresses and how visitors use, access and/or navigate throughout our Websites, including how you accessed our Websites.”
- “We collect information by which you may be personally identified, such as name, contact information, and general demographic and financial information (“identifying information”) from you when you provide it to us by filling out forms on our Websites, which includes information provided at the time of registering to use our Websites, subscribing to our service, making a donation, posting material including comments, or requesting further services.”
Quotes are copied word for word from the linked pages as they read on 2026-10-13. Pages can change, so check the source.