The job market isn’t where we want it to be, but trending in the right direction. The state labor department says for the third straight week, fewer New Jerseyans filed new unemployment claims. Meantime, the department says it continues to upgrade its system in order to be able to pay out the extended federal unemployment benefits approved by Congress. About 75,000 workers had a lapse in benefits and are still waiting for payments.

A top New Jersey CEO is stepping down. Kenneth Frazier who leads Kenilworth-based Merck, will retire in June. Frazier has been outspoken about combating racism in America and promoting diversity. With his retirement comes a reminder about the lack of diversity in corporate America. Once he departs there will be only three Black CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies.

Sen. Cory Booker has reintroduced his baby bonds bill, which calls on the government to place $1,000 in a savings account for every newborn in the U.S. The bill failed to win approval in the last congressional session, but has a better chance now that there’s a Democratic Congress. And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is one of the sponsors. Booker says that with interest, that $1,000 investment would grow to $50,000 by the time the newborn turns 18, providing that young adult with financial resources to help pay for college or buy a home.