US trade deficit widens to $68.1 billion in November

The November gap between what America buys from abroad compared to what it sells abroad rose by 8% from the October deficit of $63.1 billion.

Jobless claims slip to still-high 787,000 in the US

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell slightly to 787,000, evidence of a job market stumbling in the face of the viral pandemic and the damage it has inflicted on the economy for nearly 10 months.

NJ minimum wage increases to $12 an hour

Most minimum wage workers will see an increase of a dollar from $11 to $12 an hour. Tipped workers are also getting a boost.

Unemployment benefit claims unexpectedly fall as coronavirus lockdowns widen

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell last week amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the disease.

McConnell blocks immediate Democratic push for $2,000 stimulus checks

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats' push to immediately bring President Donald Trump's demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote.

McConnell praises Trump for signing COVID-19, government funding bills

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised President Trump late Sunday for signing a $900 billion pandemic package and a $1.4 trillion government funding bill to avert a government shutdown.

New coronavirus relief bill saves unemployment benefits for 500k Pennsylvanians

Unemployment benefits for an estimated 500,000 Pennsylvanians will be saved after President Donald Trump announced Sunday night he will sign the $900B relief package.

Unemployment benefits set to expire as COVID relief bill remains unsigned by Trump

Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.

'It does break my heart a little bit': A bleak Christmas for America's unemployed

Millions of Americans have been jobless since the viral pandemic ripped through the U.S. economy in March, triggering a deep recession and causing widespread unemployment.

House GOP, Dems stymie requests to reconsider stimulus, spending package after Trump grievances

House Republicans and Democrats Thursday blocked each others' "unanimous consent" requests put forward after President Trump aired grievances to the massive coronavirus stimulus and government funding package.

House Dems will try to pass $2,000 stimulus checks this week after Trump signals support

House Democrats are planning to force a vote this week on increasing the size of the stimulus checks included in the $900 billion coronavirus relief package after President Trump demanded Congress raise the payments from $600 to $2,000 per adult.

Layoffs remain elevated as 803,000 seek unemployment aid

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell by 89,000 last week to a still-elevated 803,000, evidence that the job market remains under stress nine months after the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy into recession and caused millions of layoffs.

Trump asks Congress to amend $900B COVID-19 relief bill, increase stimulus checks to $2,000

The bill that was passed by Congress establishes a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, but President Donald Trump said he wants lawmakers to increase the check amounts to $2,000 per person or $4,000 for married couples.