Aug 06 1.2 million seek jobless aid after $600 federal checks end By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for state unemployment benefits last week, evidence that the coronavirus keeps forcing companies to slash jobs just as a critical $600 weekly federal jobless payment has expired. The Labor Department’s report… Continue reading
Aug 02 Watch 5:23 America’s COVID-19 economy struggles as cases climb By PBS NewsHour As the emergency $600-per-week unemployment benefit expired on July 31, officials expressed optimism for another relief package. The bill, being negotiated right now, would be the fifth since the pandemic hit and likely the last before the November elections. Diane… Continue watching
Jul 31 Rent and other monthly anxieties deepen as aid falls off By Russ Bynum, Associated Press The coronavirus pandemic is entering a new month, meaning Americans struggling amid the economic fallout once again have to worry about paying their rent. Many who lost jobs months ago are already behind on payments. Continue reading
Jul 30 Watch 8:10 How long we can expect the U.S. economic catastrophe to endure The coronavirus pandemic leveled the U.S. economy in the second quarter of the year, leading to the worst collapse since the Great Depression. Gross domestic product fell by more than 9 percent between April and June. While some parts of… Continue watching
Jul 30 Record economic plunge, bleak jobs numbers reveal virus toll By Martin Crutsinger, Paul Wiseman, Associated Press The coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy plunging by a record-shattering 32.9% annual rate last quarter. It is still inflicting damage across the country, squeezing already struggling businesses and forcing a wave of layoffs that shows no sign of abating. Continue reading
Jul 28 Watch 10:30 Should Congress extend the additional $600 per week in unemployment? The emergency unemployment benefits millions of Americans have been receiving are proving to be a major dividing point for lawmakers working on a coronavirus relief package. Should the extra $600 per week be extended through the end of 2020, or… Continue watching
Jul 27 As Congress fights, analysts warn economy needs help now By Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press As Congress and the White House resume their efforts to agree on a new economic aid package, evidence is growing that the U.S. economy is faltering. And so is concern that the government may not take the steps needed to… Continue reading
Jul 24 Extra unemployment aid expires as virus threatens new states By Geoff Mulvihill, Justin Pritchard, Dave Kolpack, Associated Press As public health officials warned Friday that the coronavirus posed new risks to parts of the Midwest and South, enhanced federal payments that helped avert financial ruin for millions of unemployed Americans were set to expire — leaving threadbare safety… Continue reading
Jul 24 White House, GOP at odds over jobless aid in virus bill By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Negotiations over the next COVID-19 rescue bill are in flux. Continue reading
Jul 14 White House campaign aims to help jobless find new paths By Darlene Superville, Associated Press A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to "find something new."… Continue reading