US companies hire the most in nine months; Starbucks recall could cost $5.3M, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

The U.S. job market looks set to remain strong, with private payrolls growing the most in nine months in April — jumping by 275,000, according to ADP and Moody’s Analytics. Jobs in professional and business services were the biggest gainer, accounting for 59,000 new hires. Meanwhile, midsized companies (50 to 500 employees) added 145,000 of the new jobs. The report follows data showing the world’s biggest economy grew 3.2% in the first three months of the year — the fastest first-quarter growth since 2015. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Starbucks is recalling a coffee press that could cost the coffee giant up to $5.3 million, if all the machines are returned. Around 263,200 Bodum presses, which the company sold from mid-2016 to the beginning of this year in the U.S. and Canada, are being recalled due to reports of it breaking during use — possibly causing cuts and injuries to customers. Starbucks had received eight reports of injuries in the U.S. and one in Canada, as of last week. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Startup Anki is the most recent of “several once-promising consumer robotics companies” to shutter, laying off almost 200 employees this week, says the Associated Press. The company behind toy robots Cozmo and Vector is part of a “string of failed efforts to launch life-like robots into the market.” With robots tending to be more expensive than smart speakers such as Amazon’s Alexa, consumers appear to be drawn more toward the smaller device that delivers rival artificial intelligence to their homes. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The first parents to plead guilty in the college admissions scam have admitted to conspiring to get their children into elite schools by hiring strategist Rick Singer to claim their children were athletes and improve college-entrance exam scores. The California couple agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in a case that has ensnared 33 parents — of which 14 say they will plead guilty. Singer made around $25 million from the scam, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney. ? Here’s what people are saying.

As the competition for talent grows, ”returnship” programs are becoming more popular. Companies such as Wal-Mart, Netflix, and Goldman Sachs are tapping into the pool of seasoned professionals who took time off to care for their families and are now ready to return to the workforce. The programs often target mothers, and provide mentorship and coaching for them to re-integrate into the workforce. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: What makes an exceptional employee? One that doesn’t run away from conflict, says Dr. Travis Bradberry.

“They’re able to maintain their composure while presenting their positions calmly and logically… withstand[ing] personal attacks in pursuit of the greater goal.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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