If it excites you and scares you at the same time, it probably means you should do it. – Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you’re a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm, humor, and bluntness.

This week’s topics include the Powerball jackpot, unemployment, gun laws, best/worst records in Major League Baseball, Trump’s performance rating, gun ownership, the net worth of Presidential candidates, Little League World Series, NFL preseason games, and Tester’s town hall.

149,000,000

That’s the jackpot for the next Powerball Lottery drawing on Saturday. (Powerball.com)

If I win, I might advertise…

220,000

That’s how many people filed new claims for unemployment last week. (USDOL)

800.49

On Wednesday, that’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged on mounting fears of a possible recession. (AP)

It will be tough for Trump to be reelected during a recession.

90

In the latest Fox News poll, there’s broad support for requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers (90 percent) and passing “red flag” laws that allow police to take guns from people shown to be a danger to themselves or others (81 percent). Fewer, although still a sizable 67 percent majority, favor banning assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons. That’s up from 60 percent in 2018. (Fox News)

So here are three things Congress and the President could do if they wanted. Let your elected officials know how you feel!

81-41

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are tied for the best record (81-41) in Major League Baseball. The Detroit Tigers have the worst record (36-81).(ESPN)

A Yankees/Dodgers World Series would be nice.

56

In the same Fox News poll just mentioned, 56 percent of voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, up from 51 percent in July. The poll also found that 51% disapprove of his tweeting and 31% wish he would be more cautious. Only 16% approve. (Fox News)

I wonder if Trump can hit 60% disapproval…

30

Gallup polling reports that thirty percent of U.S. adults say they personally own a gun, while a larger percentage, 43%, report living in a gun household. (Gallup)

I wonder how accurate this is…

26

Forbes Magazine published a story on Wednesday that tells the net worth of the 26 or so 2020 Presidential candidates. Montana Governor Steve Bullock has a net worth of $1.5 million. At the low end is Pete Buttigieg, who has a net worth of about $100,000. President Trump’s net worth is supposedly $3.1 billion. (Forbes)

Yep, they are all close to the middle class…

16

There are 16 teams from around the world playing in the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It all starts today (Thursday). (LittleLeague.org)

USA! USA!

8

Starting tonight (Thursday) through Monday there will be eight NFL preseason games nationally televised on either the NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, or CBS. (NFL.com)

Is this a great country or what?

4

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) held his fourth face-to-face town hall meeting of 2019 in Great Falls on Tuesday. (Tester Press)

Right now it looks like the score for in-person town hall meetings is Tester 4, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte (R-MT/AL) 0.

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