AI and hiring reality-check: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pushed back on “jobs apocalypse” fears, saying job losses have been slower than predicted. Federal hiring tech: OPM urged agencies to expand AI use in hiring, aiming to speed up processes. Immigration and workforce gaps: Scotland’s SNP floated a tailored Scottish visa system, calling immigration “critical” to fill skills shortages. Visa rule changes: The US cleared plans to scrap the H-1B job-loss grace period, a shift that could affect workers’ planning. Skilled trades pipeline: Luzerne County Community College highlighted PAWorks partnerships and the need for 300,000 skilled trade workers by 2030. Union bargaining: United Steelworkers rejected Sibanye’s third contract offer, citing daily job risk and unchanged terms. Job market signals: Reports say US hiring slowed again and marketing job postings remain hard to fill after a month. Workplace fairness in practice: A new FBI hiring standards memo reportedly softened disqualifiers for certain past conduct, raising questions about trust-based roles. Local career support: PennDOT and other groups hosted job fairs, while Northern Nevada and other regions ran career events for guidance and vacancies.