751,000 seek unemployment benefits as pandemic hobbles US economy

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week to 751,000, a still-historically high level that shows that many employers keep cutting jobs in the face of the accelerating pandemic.

McConnell promises COVID-19 stimulus as he maintains seat

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., promised that approval of a new coronavirus relief package by the end of the year can be reached as lawmakers are set to return to work following Tuesday’s elections.

Billions in COVID-19 business loans possibly given to scammers, report says

The Office of Small Business Administration (SBA) Inspector General Michael Ware found that it may have distributed billions of dollars to fraudulent businesses claiming financial distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report.

American unemployment claims fall to 751,000; coronavirus resurges

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 751,000, the lowest since March but a figure that remains historically high and indicates the viral pandemic is still forcing many employers to cut jobs.

US economy grew at 33% rate in 3rd quarter but recovery is incomplete

The U.S. economy grew at a 33.1% annual rate in the July-September quarter — by far the largest quarterly gain on record — rebounding from an epic plunge in the spring.

Pelosi 'remains optimistic' about COVID-19 relief package before Election Day

Despite failing on Monday to come to an agreement on a coronavirus stimulus package, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "remains optimistic" that a deal with the White House can be reached before Election Day.

Stocks plunge as COVID-19 cases surge in US

The stock market had its worst day in a month as virus cases surge and help for the economy from Washington remains nowhere in sight.

Italy closes gyms, shuts eateries early amid rising COVID-19 cases

Italy’s leader has imposed at least a month of new restrictions to fight rising coronavirus infections, shutting down gyms, pools and movie theaters and putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants.

Unemployment claims fall to 787,000; layoffs still high

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000, a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels.

Coronavirus relief talks crawl ahead; McConnell is resistant

President Donald Trump’s most powerful Senate ally is pressing the White House not to move ahead on a coronavirus pandemic relief package.

McConnell says any Pelosi-Mnuchin COVID-19 stimulus deal would get Senate vote

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he'll schedule a vote if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration are able to seal an agreement on a huge COVID-19 relief bill.

Trump teases stepping in if Republicans oppose multi-trillion dollar stimulus package

President Trump hinted he might intervene if Republican senators don't support a second coronavirus stimulus package worth trillions of dollars, during an interview with Charles Benson of WTMJ4 Milwaukee on Saturday.

Minnesota reports lowest labor force participation in a decade

Minnesota has its lowest labor force participation rate in at least a decade, as tens of thousands of people apparently stopped looking for work in September.

Layoffs remain elevated as 898,000 seek unemployment aid

The government will issue its latest snapshot Thursday of the level of layoffs in the United States, which remain elevated seven months after the viral pandemic erupted and after the expiration of federal unemployment aid for millions of Americans.

2 Americans awarded Nobel Prize in economics

Americans Paul R. Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson have won the Nobel Prize in economics for “improvements to auction theory and inventions of new auction formats.”

White House boosts offer in COVID-19 aid talks

The White House is boosting its offer in up-and-down COVID-19 aid talks Friday in hopes of an agreement before Election Day.

Layoffs continue as 840,000 seek unemployment aid

The government will provide its latest picture Thursday of the pace of layoffs in the United States, which have remained high since the viral pandemic erupted in March while federal aid for the jobless has lapsed.