Wages Vs Inflation, Tennessee Failed Execution, Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor

October 2, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Prices are rising faster than pay, borrowing costs are climbing, and the consumer spending that has propped up the economy is looking increasingly fragile. Meanwhile, a failed execution in Tennessee has reignited debate over the death penalty, and a rape case at Cornell University has shattered trust in the school’s handling of sexual assault allegations. This episode of Up First covers three distinct developments that together paint a picture of institutional strain — in the economy, the justice system, and on campus.

Wages, Inflation, and the Squeeze on Consumers

The September jobs report was expected to show moderate hiring — around 80,000 to 90,000 new jobs, a slowdown from August but not the stall seen earlier in the summer. NPR’s Scott Horsley described the labor market as “chugging along in a low gear,” with modest hiring and few layoffs, but little turnover. That makes it harder for new or returning workers to get a foothold.

The real problem is the gap between wages and prices. Average wages in August were up 3.1 percent from a year ago, but the inflation measure the Federal Reserve watches most closely — the Commerce Department’s August scorecard — showed prices rising 3.4 percent. Rising gasoline prices were a major driver. As Horsley put it, wages are “not enough to keep pace with rising prices.”

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What you'll learn

1 (03:01) **Wages vs. Inflation and the Job Market** - NPR's Pierre Scott Horsley analyzes the latest economic data showing consumers are squeezed by rising prices, stagnant wages, and higher borrowing costs.
2 (06:43) **Tennessee's Failed Execution of Krista Pike** - The state of Tennessee tried to execute death row inmate Krista Pike, but she survived two rounds of lethal injection and is now in critical condition.
3 (10:18) **Cornell Rape Case: Special Prosecutor Appointed** - New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to take over a rape case at Cornell University after major failures in the initial investigation.
4 Standout Quotes
5 (07:36) **Stephen Farrell, lawyer for Krista Pike** - "We knew this was coming. So back in January, we asked that this problem be addressed in a way that would not lead to the torture that happened last night."
6 (12:31) **"Anna," Cornell student** - "I think people are afraid. She's not someone I know, but she could have been any one of my friends or a classmate. I am so sorry that the university has failed her."
7 Mentioned Resources

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Scott Horsley Kathy Hochul

Show Notes

The government has a sobering update on the job market, as workers face wages that fail to keep up with higher prices and borrowing costs.
Tennessee has paused executions after Christa Pike survived two doses of a lethal injection drug, marking the state’s second failed execution this year.
New York’s governor has appointed a special prosecutor in the Cornell sexual assault case after new questions emerged about what information campus police shared with the local district attorney.

**correction note: A previous audio version of this story misstated the name of Christa Pike's attorney.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rafael Nam, Susanna Capeluto, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.

Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

(0:00) Introduction
(02:29) Wages Vs Inflation
(06:49) Tennessee Failed Execution
(10:25) Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor

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