October didn’t just bring colder weather — it brought a wave of layoffs America hasn’t seen in two decades. U.S. companies cut 152,000 jobs last month, the highest October total since 2005 and nearly double last year’s number, according to a new report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. And it’s happening despite record stock markets, strong corporate profits, and a booming AI industry. Corporate America is growing — but workers are the ones paying the price.