Jobs report Friday! Here’s what to keep in mind as you review the numbers – WSJ and NYTimes

Its recent debt sale was enough to score Italy’s Monte dei Paschi a government bailout, one of the first since the 2008 crisis and a test case for the ECB’s new bank bailout rules – NYTimes and Law360

Illinois’ financial woes have put in on a fast track to the dubious honor of being the first state with a junk-bond rating – WSJ and Bloomberg

Meal delivery service pioneer Blue Apron has filed paperwork to go public, making it one of the most recognizable names since Snap to go the IPO route this year – NYTimes and WSJ and MarketWatch and Mashable

Not that going public necessarily requires an IPO these days . . . – WSJ

Also, good to watch the veracity of the information you’re putting out there before going public – Law360

After a wild year of dealmaking, Chinese insurance giant Anbang has apparently been “benched” by Beijing on worries about the “fragile nature of an economy built on credit” and an intent to “curb the amount of money leaving the country” – WSJ

Breakingviews predicts that the Exxon shareholders’ recent vote on increased climate change transparency may set off similar demands by shareholders of similarly situated companies – NYTimes

The Times gives us a fascinating look at how scientists have gone about decoding the mystery of human facial recognition – NYTimes

“Landscraper.” It’s a thing, and Google’s going to build it. For a mere billion pounds – The Verge

Have a great weekend.