Mar 04 California Legislature approves plan to push in-person learning By Adam Beam, Associated Press The legislation approved Thursday would give school districts $2 billion if they offer in-person instruction by the end of the month. Another $4.6 billion would be available to all school districts to help student catch up. Continue reading
Mar 04 Chairman Powell says higher inflation is temporary, fed will be ‘patient’ By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that inflation will likely pick up in the coming months but the increase will be temporary, and won’t be enough for the Fed to alter its low-interest rate policies. Continue reading
Mar 04 CBO expects U.S. federal debt to double over next 30 years By Josh Boak, Associated Press The long-term drivers of managing the debt are rising interest rates and spending on programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Continue reading
Mar 04 Law enforcement on alert after plot warning at U.S. Capitol By Michael Balsamo, Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press Law enforcement is on high alert after intelligence uncovered a “possible plot” by a militia group to storm the U.S Capitol again. Continue reading
Mar 04 How to address the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes By Amna Nawaz, Vignesh Ramachandran In the year since COVID-19 entered the U.S., incidents of racially motivated harassment of Asian Americans have been on the rise. See our conversation about the history of AAPI hate crimes and how communities are responding now. Continue reading
Mar 04 U.S. jobless claims tick up to 745,000 as layoffs remain high By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits edged higher last week to 745,000, a sign that many employers continue to cut jobs despite a drop in confirmed viral infections and evidence that the overall economy is improving. Continue reading
Mar 03 ‘The system was never created for us.’ Business owners of color still struggle to get enough COVID aid By Courtney Vinopal Black and Hispanic business owners said they feel disparities in PPP distribution highlight longstanding systemic inequities in the U.S. that have kept entrepreneurs who are not white from accessing capital. Continue reading
Mar 03 Water crisis continues in Mississippi, weeks after cold snap By Jeff Martin, Leah Willingham, Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press Mississippi's largest city is still struggling with water problems, more than two weeks after winter storms and freezing weather ravaged the system. Continue reading
Mar 03 AP report: House to wrap early amid threat of violence By Associated Press The news comes nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Continue reading
Mar 03 Watch 5:53 News Wrap: Biden denounces loosening of COVID restrictions in some states In our news wrap Wednesday, President Biden denounced decisions some state leaders are making to loosen COVID restrictions a day after Texas and Mississippi lifted mask mandates, the U.S. House moved to pass major election changes, at least 34 protesters… Continue watching