Quirky Olympic mascots, free medical school, the origins of fashion: Catch up on the day’s stories

CNN’s 5 Things PM brings you the stories you might have missed during your busy day.

👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! After years of enjoying a red-hot labor market, Americans are suddenly finding it harder to land a job. The unemployment rate has been creeping up, and pay increases are leveling off — making job hopping less enticing. Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ Quirky caricatures: For decades, athletes competing in the Olympics have been cheered on by a furry or feathered creature. Some have even been a bit frightening. The mascot symbolizes the host city’s culture and history, but not all of them have been a hit. 2️⃣ Generous gift: Medical school is now free for most students at one of the top colleges in the US, thanks to a billion-dollar donation. The gift will cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses, for many students. 3️⃣ Catching ’em all: Some Pokémon cards are worth hundreds of dollars. Ross “Coop” Cooper, a prolific collector, gives them away for free to fellow fans. Here’s why. 4️⃣ Fashion first: Eyed needles, a sewing tool usually made of bones or antlers, began appearing about 40,000 years ago. A new study found that they revealed clues about the origins of fashion for prehistoric humans.