Unemployment claims fall to 547,000, a new pandemic low
The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck and a further encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.
New Jersey gambling revenue soars in March after 2020 virus shutdown
The casinos and tracks handled $859.6 million worth of sports bets in March, compared with the less than $182 million they handled last March. They kept $60.7 million this March as sports betting revenue after paying out winning bets and covering other expenses.
New Jersey's unemployment rate falls slightly amid job gains
The state added 20,800 jobs overall in March, largely in the private sector, according to the state Labor Department.
Pennsylvania jobless rate fell in March, payrolls grew
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell slightly in March, as payrolls expanded and every economic sector except for construction recorded growth, according to state figures released Friday.
Unemployment claims fall to 576,000, lowest since COVID-19 pandemic began
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 576,000, a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession.
LinkedIn adding ‘stay-at-home parent’ to official job titles
LinkedIn is rolling out a variety of updates, which includes adding “stay-at-home mom/dad/parent” as official job titles to better explain career gaps.
Unemployment claims jump to 744,000 as layoffs persist amid pandemic
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs.
Biden open to ‘good-faith negotiations’ on proposed $2.3T infrastructure plan amid GOP criticism
President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he’s open to negotiations on his proposed $2.3 trillion U.S. infrastructure plan that would largely be funded by an increase in corporate taxes.
156 million coronavirus relief payments issued, Treasury says
The Treasury Department says it has issued more than 156 million payments as part of President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief plan.
Hiring ramps up as US adds 916K jobs in March
America’s employers unleashed a burst of hiring in March, adding 916,000 jobs in a sign that a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession is taking hold.
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.
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.
Millions of Americans face past-due utility bills amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
Millions of U.S. households are facing heavy past-due utility bills, which have escalated in the year since the pandemic forced Americans hunkered down at home to consume more power.
Trade bottleneck has businesses waiting for goods; container ships sit anchored in California
The seeds of the current problems were sown last March, when Americans stayed home and dramatically changed their buying habits — instead of clothes, they bought electronics, fitness equipment and home improvement products.
US unemployment claims rise to 770,000 with layoffs still high
The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly variations, dropped to 746,000, the lowest since late November.
Rich Americans shirk tax obligations as IRS collection efforts fall short, report finds
A group of wealthy taxpayers with an average AGI of more than $1.5 million owed more than $2.4 billion, a report showed.
Gas prices jump 25 cents in two weeks
The price spike is partly because of the power outages that caused several Texas refineries to shut down or reduce operations last month and surging prices on credits for a renewable fuel. The highest average price in the nation is $3.86 a gallon in the San Francisco Bay Area. The lowest average is $2.48 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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.
Biden: Americans to begin receiving $1,400 stimulus checks this month
"When we took office 45 days ago, I promised the American people that help was on the way," Biden said. "Today, I can say we have taken one more giant step forward in delivering on that promise."