Happy Friday! Has anyone else seen the photos of a truck bed slammed into a highway sign in Virginia? It’s all over my social media feeds, and I am so intrigued by how it ended up in this position. Here’s what else is happening today:

• The U.S. economy added 142K jobs in August.
• Trump’s giving a press conference today.
• There’s growing speculation that, if elected, Trump could appoint RFK Jr. as HHS secretary. The public health community is concerned.
• The Georgia shooting suspect appeared in court this morning.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-staging.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.  

It’s jobs day! The Labor Department announced this morning that the U.S. added 142,000 jobs in August. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2 percent.

For context: “The new report is in line with economists’ forecasts of 161,000 jobs and a 4.2 percent jobless rate, and will be closely watched as the Federal Reserve prepares to reduce interest rates by at least 0.25 percentage points amid concerns the agency is behind the curve on cuts as hiring and job gains slow.” (The Hill)

The New York Times’s Jeff Sommer explains, “The Downside of Falling Interest Rates.”

Basically: “While rate cuts are welcome in much of the economy, they pose problems for risk-averse investors who relish high money market and bond yields.”

“The stakes are incredibly high for the first debate next week between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, as the presidential race is as close as it has been this century, according to the latest forecast model from Decision Desk HQ and The Hill.”

Explain: While the model shows Harris has a 55 percent probability of winning, there are seven states that could go either way and determine the outcome.

Compare that to Nate Silver’s model: Silver gives Trump a 60 percent chance of winning.

“At first glance, the roughly 10-point gap between Decision Desk HQ’s and Silver’s models may seem a significant difference showing one candidate is more likely to win than the other. And Silver’s model has shown Trump’s chance of winning ticking up in recent days. But both models indicate just how close the race is and that either candidate can come out on top.”

💡 Why this matters: It makes Tuesday’s debate even more important. It will be the first time that voters see Harris and Trump debate each other. Their performances could really sway the dynamics.

^Tidbit: This will also be the first time the two will meet in person, since Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration.

Read Jared Gans’s analysis: ‘Trump, Harris locked in statistical dead heat ahead of pivotal debate’

💰 Harris’s presidential campaign announced a $361 million (!) fundraising haul in August. And even more eye-catching: It includes 1.3 million donors making their first contribution of the cycle.

🍊 Florida’s Senate race is also in a dead heat, according to a new poll by The Hill and Emerson College Polling.

📺 ABC host Jimmy Kimmel joked to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, mocking comments Trump made about Harris’s race: “What was your reaction when your wife turned Black? Were you surprised?” Kimmel asked. 💻 Watch the clip

‘Kamala Harris ran her office like a prosecutor. Not everyone liked that.’: The Washington Post

‘How the Fight to Define Kamala Harris Will Shape Next Week’s Debate’: The New York Times

‘Tim Walz’s Balancing Act: Folksy Everyman vs. Attack Dog’: The Wall Street Journal

©  AP

The father of the 14-year-old suspected of killing four people at a Georgia high school has been arrested and charged.

The charges: “Colin Gray, 54, is charged with eight counts of cruelty to children, two counts of second-degree murder and four counts of involuntary manslaughter.”

The suspect’s charges: The teen, Colt Gray, has been charged with four felony murder counts. He had his first court appearance this morning.

Ugh: “One source told CNN the AR-15-style rifle was purchased at a local gun store as a Christmas present. The timeline the teen’s father provided to authorities would put the gun purchase months after authorities first contacted Gray and his family to investigate school shooting threats made online.” (CNN)

Keep in mind: “The Peach State does not permit minors to have guns. Federal and state law would also bar the teen from purchasing them.”

The Washington Post’s Mark Berman explains what it means to be charged as an adult in Georgia.

The gist: “Charging the suspected shooter as an adult, not a minor, is a legal step that will significantly shape the coming court case, changing key elements of how the proceedings will unfold and potentially leading to a much harsher sentence if he gets convicted, according to legal analysts.” Read the full explainer

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent presidential campaign in August and backed former President Trump, there has been growing speculation that Trump would appoint Kennedy to a role in his next potential administration.

While the 45th president has not said what (if any!) position he would offer Kennedy, the public health community is concerned that Kennedy could be appointed as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary.

The reason for the concern: Kennedy is vocally anti-vax and has stirred up controversy by pushing a debunked theory that vaccines cause autism.

What started this speculation: Kennedy’s former running mate Nicole Shanahan recently said he would do “an incredible job” at HHS.

Read more from The Hill’s Hanna Trudo and Nathaniel Weixel: ‘Alarm grows over possible RFK Jr. role at HHS if Trump wins’

🍷 Celebrate: Today is National Chianti Day!

🧠 We’re learning more about dementia: Nearly 1 in 5 dementia cases could be associated with vision impairment, according to a new study.

The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Michigan this afternoon. Vice President Harris is in Pittsburgh. (my colleague Emily Martin hopes Harris tries a Primanti Bros. sandwich while she’s in the ‘Burgh)  

(all times Eastern)

• Noon: Former President Trump holds a news conference in New York City. 💻 Livestream
• 3:15 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks on his “Investing in America” agenda at an event in Ann Arbor, Mich.. 💻 Livestream
• 4 p.m.: Trump speaks at a Fraternal Order of Police Event in Charlotte, N.C. 💻 Livestream
• 6:50 p.m.: Biden arrives in Delaware.
• Sept. 10: Harris and Trump participate in the ABC News debate.

To get you feeling the weekend vibes, here is one proud dog.