Feb 03 Why U.S. hiring could rebound faster than expected By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press A hopeful view is gaining steam that as vaccinations reach a critical mass in the United States, perhaps around midyear, the economy and the job market will strengthen much faster. Continue reading
Jan 31 Watch 5:56 Why governments will be key to global recovery from the pandemic As nations grapple with economic recovery, which is closely linked with getting people vaccinated and arresting the coronavirus spread, it has become clear that the pandemic exacerbated the impact of the global economic fractures that predate the COVID-19 outbreak. Dambisa… Continue watching
Jan 30 Watch 11:29 How zoning can restrict, or even prevent, affordable housing By Christopher Booker, Sam Weber In this next installment of our series, “Roads to Recovery,” Christopher Booker reports on efforts to reform Connecticut's land use laws, and the complicated mix of history, politics, and racial dynamics that impact who gets to live where. Advocates say… Continue watching
Jan 30 Biden, Democrats hit gas on push for $15 minimum wage By Kevin Freking, Associated Press The Democratic push to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour has emerged as an early flashpoint in the fight for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, testing President Joe Biden’s ability to bridge Washington’s partisan divides as… Continue reading
Jan 27 Watch 5:33 News Wrap: Man pleads guilty in plot to kidnap Michigan's governor In our news wrap Wednesday, one of six men charged in plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pleaded guilty, President Biden’s COVID-19 team warns another 90,000 Americans could die from the virus over the next four weeks, the U.S. Continue watching
Jan 25 Job losses from pandemic 4 times as bad as 2009 financial crisis By Associated Press The International Labor Organization estimated that the restrictions on businesses and public life destroyed 8.8 percent of all work hours around the world last year. Continue reading
Jan 19 Watch 8:26 What will Trump's legacy be after leaving office? As President Trump leaves office, a new PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll shows that just 38 percent of Americans approve of his presidency, while 57 percent disapprove of his job performance. Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy… Continue watching
Jan 14 Powell signals Federal Reserve will keep aiding economy with bond buying By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sought Thursday to tamp down any concerns that the Fed might soon withdraw some of its support for the U.S. economy and stressed that any such pullback would be signaled far in advance. Continue reading
Dec 22 U.S. consumer confidence tumbles in crucial holiday season By Matt Ott, Associated Press A closely-watched gauge for U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to a reading of 88.6 in December as rising coronavirus cases dragged American optimism to its lowest level since summer. Continue reading
Dec 18 Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief talks By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Bearing down on a midnight shutdown deadline, top negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package are committed to sealing an agreement Friday as they resolve remaining differences in hopes of passing the legislation this weekend. Continue reading