Economy

WASHINGTON -- As the U.S. death toll reached 564,000 from COVID-19, the nation’s top disease experts said Thursday normal life will return for Americans only when enough of them get vaccinated. But with more than 70,000 new infections daily, they... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to 576,000, a post-COVID low and a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession.  The Labor Department said Thursday... Read More

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy is continuing its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic but not fast enough for tourism officials who testified before a Senate subcommittee Tuesday. They said their industry was the hardest hit during the pandemic shutdown and... Read More

WASHINGTON — We all remember last year’s short-term stampede for toilet paper. But while stores were able to eventually restock personal products and cleaning supplies, will we be able to do the same with a shortage of semiconductors and other... Read More

WASHINGTON - U.S. airlines carried 61% fewer passengers in February 2021 than in February 2020, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Transportation Department. The analysis, which was carried out by the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, suggests airlines serving... Read More

Just as corporations and tax practitioners are beginning to adjust to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Biden administration’s proposed changes would introduce further complexities into an already complicated system, according to three U.S.-based tax attorneys. Biden’s proposal... Read More

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Long and Lili Chin have struck out so far in their four-month search to find an affordable home in the Los Angeles area — a cold streak that threatens to mess up their anniversary plans.... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, consumers gain confidence and the government distributes aid... Read More

WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit surged to a record high in February as the nation’s economic activity rebounded more quickly than that of other nations carefully shake off the economic hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The trade deficit... Read More

The pandemic has caused profound and long-lasting changes to the global economy. However, the world also has a narrow window to avoid throwing lots of people into more uncertainty, insecurity, and poverty, said an executive from the International Monetary Fund... Read More

ATLANTA - On Sunday, NASCAR joined the list of places using coronavirus-sniffing dogs as a tool to battle the virus's spread. The dogs can be taught to speedily screen large, busy crowds. This, together with the low cost involved in... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — A trade bottleneck born of the COVID-19 outbreak has U.S. businesses anxiously awaiting goods from Asia — while off the coast of California, dozens of container ships sit anchored, unable to unload their cargo.  The pandemic... Read More

CHICAGO – The City of Chicago announced a new initiative called Chicago Alfresco, which seeks to not only expand the city’s outdoor dining program but also allow businesses and non-profit organizations to design creative long-term outdoor spaces. The initiative is... Read More

Lisa Harris has not physically seen her family since the beginning of the pandemic just to keep them safe from her. She is one of the 50 million essential workers fearing the virus every day, yet still going into work... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Congress sent clear signals this week that clean energy technology and the infrastructure to support it will provide a path to help the nation’s economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In two hearings, economists and lawmakers bemoaned the... Read More

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — President Joe Biden turned up at a minority-owned flooring business in suburban Philadelphia to highlight how his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package can help small businesses and to put a face on those who have struggled... Read More

The Biden administration has talked a big game on beefing up enforcement in market competition and it will undoubtedly bring more competition cases to court, said Bill Kovacic, a former regulator at the Federal Trade Commission.  The new leadership, however,... Read More

While the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic has had drastic ramifications for the United States’ economy, its toll has been unevenly harsh for the country’s poorest citizens.  Following a recession, a “K-shaped recovery” occurs when different segments of the... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Let the sales push begin. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are opening an ambitious, cross-country tour this week to highlight the benefits of his $1.9 trillion plan to defeat the coronavirus and... Read More

With COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations continuing their downward spiral, New York State will begin allowing weddings and catered events to take place starting March 15, subject to strict health and safety protocols. "From day one, we have said that... Read More

The National Association for the Education of Young Children announced its support of the passage of the American Rescue Plan, which includes $39 billion in child care relief.  The legislative relief will address the needs of parents, educators and child... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the nation was brought to a near-standstill by the coronavirus, President Joe Biden pledged in his first prime-time address to make all adults eligible for vaccines by May 1 and raised the possibility of... Read More

WASHINGTON - President Biden on Thursday signed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package into law, marking a significant legislative accomplishment for the new president as he looks to shepherd the country through the pandemic.  Biden, who signed the bill alongside... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marking a year of loss and disruption, President Joe Biden will use his first prime-time address since taking office to steer the nation toward a hungered-for sentiment — hope — in the "next phase" of the fight... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — At first, it was expected to be brief. At least that was the hope.  Instead, a once-in-a-century pandemic has ground on for a year, throwing millions out of work and upending wide swathes of the American economy.... Read More

WASHINGTON - The House voted 220-211 on Wednesday to approve the Senate's revised version of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, sending the bill to the president's desk to be signed. The passage of Biden's "American Rescue Plan" is... Read More

WASHINGTON —Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen grew up surrounded by hardships endured during the Great Depression. Her father’s medical practice was located inside the family home, so she not only heard stories from the patients but also saw firsthand the result... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants America to know that he's from the government and he's here to help. That sentiment became a well-worn punchline under Ronald Reagan and shaped the politics of both parties for four decades. Democrat... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive coronavirus relief plan making its way to President Joe Biden's desk includes a plan to temporarily raise the child tax credit that could end up permanently changing the way the country deals with child poverty.... Read More

WASHINGTON - A Congressional Budget Office report estimating that persistent budget deficits will cause the federal debt to double in size over the next 30 years, "provides a troubling snapshot of America’s fiscal outlook, which we know will only get... Read More