Job growth has pushed local employment to the highest level since before the Great Recession.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we look at the stellar three-month stretch of job growth and the outlook going forward. We also get you game ready for the high school football season, which starts in full force tonight.

For those following the Democratic National Convention, we have highlights in the Nation and World section of this newsletter.

If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at Greg.Lynch@coxinc.com.

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The newsletter should take about 2 minutes, 51 seconds to read.

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Dayton jobs: Employment at highest level since before the Great Recession

After a bad start to this year, the Dayton region has had a stellar three-month stretch of job gains.

• Overall: The local economy is doing well, and there are signs of job growth and investment all across the community.

• The numbers: The Dayton metro area created 1,900 new jobs in July after producing 2,800 new jobs in June and 1,200 in May.

• Last year: The total net job gain for the entire year was 4,400 new positions.

• What they are saying: “Just look around the community, you can feel the growth and feel the energy,” said Chris Kershner, president and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is the strongest economic trajectory I have ever experienced in the Dayton region.”

High school football is back for another season

The high school football season is back with the first full Friday night of games tonight.

• Week 1 schedule: No matter which team you root for, we will have the schedules each week.

• Top teams: Here is a look at some of the teams to watch this season.

• Top players: Based on 2023 performances, here is a look at the top returning players on area teams.

• Top games of season: There is no shortage of great games on the docket for this season in the Miami Valley, but some stand above the rest.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: A Dayton man was sentenced to up to three years in prison for shooting at a co-worker multiple times in November following an argument at a grocery store.

• Tip of the day: The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) will open its 2024-2025 season with three new exhibitions. Here are the details.

• Person to know today: Damon Darling. The Dayton comedian is gaining a “pretty massive” following on social media.

• Quote of the day: “There’s about 215 days a year that you cannot play pickleball outside due to rain or wind or snow or cold. A dedicated facility would give all the players a place to play year-round.” — Mike Bettencourt, co-founder of Black Barn Pickleball, about his plans for a pickleball sports facility in Riverside.

• Stat of the day: He wore the Reds uniform on the field 2,056 times. Hal McCoy says Joey Votto, who recently announced his retirement from baseball, will end up in the Hall of Fame.

• Big move of the day: Ryan Allen said he recently purchased replacement window business Pella of Dayton and its real estate.

• Happening today: The RiverScape MetroPark is taking it old school with a 1980s-themed party tonight.

• Thing to do: Our guide to fall things to do in Dayton and the region.

• Photo of the day: A Pivotal BlackFly electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft recently made a test flight at Springfield-Beckley Airport during the third annual National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum. It was probably the first time it flew in front of an appreciable number of people in the Dayton-Springfield area. Drivers were slowing down or stopping on West Blee Road as it flew over. Read more here.