Hop on: The Capital Area Transit System launched a mobile friendly website today in an effort to improve how riders and the public get information about the bus system. The website—brcats.com—allows CATS to publicize rider alerts and route changes in real time. Riders also can track buses and plan trips. CATS says the design incorporates feedback from the CATS staff and board as well as rider surveys. The new CATS website was developed by Baton Rouge-based Covalent Logic. Read more.
Talk it out: Moms of Black Boys United, Progressive Social Network of Baton Rouge, Love Alive Church and BREC will host a free screening of the PBS documentary THE TALK-Race in America. The viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the BREC Jefferson Highway Park ballroom, 8133 Jefferson Hwy. According to a release, the film offers an intimate look at the pressures parents feel to have conversations with their children of color to protect them from dangers with law enforcement officers. The viewing is taking place just day after the one year anniversary of the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police. A panel discussion will take place immediately after the viewing. Get more information.
In the workforce: The U.S. labor market roared back in June as employers added 222,000 jobs for the month. The New York Times reports economists had expected job gains of 175,000. Revisions to April and May numbers added 47,000 more jobs to each month. The Labor Department released hiring and unemployment figures this morning—the latest official snapshot of the state of the American economy. The June unemployment rate was 4.4%, up from May’s jobless rate was 4.3%. The unemployment rate ticked up from the previous month because more people joined the workforce. Read more.
