Unemployment claims climb to 719,000; COVID-19 pandemic still forces layoffs
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose by 61,000 last week to 719,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more businesses reopen, vaccines are increasingly administered and federal aid spreads through the economy.
Student loan forgiveness: Department of Education cancels debt for more than 40,000 with disabilities
The U.S. Education Department is temporarily relaxing the rules of a student loan forgiveness program that's meant to help people with disabilities but that critics say carries overly burdensome rules.
Unemployment claims fall to 684,000, fewest since start of pandemic
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving.
Layoffs ease as unemployment claims drop to 712,000
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000, the lowest total since early November.
House passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, Biden expected to sign on Friday
The House passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which includes $1,400 stimulus checks for many Americans. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law in his first major legislative win.
Senate approves $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill after all-night session
Senators worked through the night on the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill and have approved the package with a 50-49 vote. The bill is on track to pass in the House next week.
COVID-19 relief bill: Democrats strike deal on jobless benefits after logjam
Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin have struck a deal over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.
In hopeful sign for economy, US adds 379,000 jobs in February
U.S. employers added a robust 379,000 jobs last month, the most since October and a sign that the economy is strengthening as confirmed viral cases drop, consumers spend more and states and cities ease business restrictions.
Unemployment claims climb to 745,000; layoffs still high
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.
'Tax-time surprise': COVID-19 unemployment benefits lead to higher tax bill for unsuspecting filers
As tax season is in full swing, many Americans are being hit with another financial burden as the COVID-19 pandemic carries on - learning they owe taxes on unemployment benefits.
Unemployment claims drop to 730,000; pandemic keeps layoffs high
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week but remained high by historical standards.
One-time payment of $600 to low-income Californians under new relief deal
The deal will also cover Newsom’s proposed stimulus plan to give a $600 one-time payment to low-income Californians.
Los Angeles drops in 'best cities' ranking due to high housing costs, low job growth
Based on high housing costs and a decline in job growth, California cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose have proven less resilient during the pandemic, according to a ranking of economic vitality by the Santa Monica-based Milken Institute released Wednesday.
Did you get the right stimulus check amount? Why you need to know before filing your tax return
Americans who have not received their coronavirus stimulus check payments, or who received the incorrect amount, have an opportunity to claim the missing money now that the 2020 tax season is officially underway.
House panel advances partial COVID-19 relief bill including $1,400 stimulus checks
The panel on Thursday evening approved its $940 billion piece of Biden's proposal on a 25-18 party-line vote
Unemployment claims dip to 793,000; layoffs remain high
Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, lowering jobless claims to 793,000, evidence that job cuts remain high despite a substantial decline in new viral infections.
House passes budget resolution for $1.9T coronavirus relief after Senate's marathon session
The vote was 219-209 to adopt the budget framework that the Senate approved early Friday morning thanks to a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jobless claims fall to 779,000; layoffs grind on
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell to 779,000 last week, a historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people are still losing jobs to the viral pandemic.
Democrats urge Biden to cancel up to $50k in student loan debt by executive action
The resolution called on President Biden to take executive action to "administratively cancel up to $50,000 in Federal student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers" using "existing legal authorities" under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Los Angeles County restaurants reopen for outdoor dining Friday
Friday marks the first day of outdoor dining being permitted to reopen in Los Angeles County in months.