Amazon reportedly looking to transform shuttered JCPenney, Sears stores into fulfillment centers

Amazon, celebrating the boom in e-commerce, is in discussions with Simon Property Group, the largest U.S. mall owner by number of malls with 204 properties, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

US adds 1.8 million jobs in July, a dip from previous months

The United States added 1.8 million jobs in July, a pullback from the gains of May and June and evidence that the resurgent coronavirus is stalling hiring and slowing an economic rebound.

Laid-off workers endure loss of $600 federal aid amid COVID-19 pandemic

Around the country, across industries and occupations, millions of Americans thrown out of work because of the coronavirus are straining to afford the basics now that an extra $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired.

1.2 million seek jobless aid after $600 federal check ends

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.

Wave of evictions expected as moratoriums end in many states

Housing advocates fear that they could see a wave of evictions in the coming months, as states end moratoriums put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

US manufacturing improves in July, outlook clouded by coronavirus

The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 54.2 last month, up from a June reading of 52.6. Any reading above 50 signals that U.S. manufacturing is expanding.

Minnesota facing $4.7 billion shortfall for fiscal years 2022-23

Minnesota is facing $4.7 billion shortfall in fiscal years 2022-23, according to a monthly revenue report from Minnesota Management and Budget.

Record economic plunge, bleak jobs numbers reveal virus toll

The U.S. economy shrank at a dizzying 33% annual rate in the April-June quarter — by far the worst quarterly plunge ever — when the viral outbreak shut down businesses, throwing tens of millions out of work and sending unemployment surging to 14.7%, the government said Thursday.

Struggling merchants, insurers battle over pandemic coverage

Restaurants, bars and other merchants struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic are desperately reaching out for a lifeline from insurers who say they are being miscast as potential saviors.

Second stimulus check details revealed: Who is eligible?

The GOP unveiled details for a second round of direct payments to American households on Monday, in legislation that has been dubbed the HEALS Act.

Minnesotans worry as weekly $600 unemployment benefit runs out

For the last few months, the federal government has been giving people who lost their jobs because of the pandemic an extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits. Now, hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are on the edge of a financial cliff as those extra benefits run out.

$1,200 checks, unemployment benefits: What's in the next coronavirus relief bill?

Senate Republicans unveiled their next round of coronavirus relief on Monday, promising to include a fresh round of $1,200 stimulus checks while cutting back the boost to unemployment benefits.

Many Americans should be getting $1,200 checks in August, Treasury Secretary says

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says that many Americans will be getting another $1,200 stimulus check in August. But, he says that the GOP is determined to cut down the $600/week in extra federal unemployment benefits that millions have been getting for months.

White House drops payroll tax cut as GOP unveils virus aid

The White House has dropped a bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes as Republicans unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package.

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears

The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March, evidence of the deepening economic pain the outbreak is causing to the economy.

Why are coins hard to find during the pandemic?

The Federal Reserve has seen a significant decline of coins in circulation because people are not spending them as regularly at businesses, many of which are either temporarily closed or not accepting cash.

Coronavirus prompts Country Time to offer lemonade stand stimulus checks for kids

The powdered beverage company Country Time is issuing stimulus checks to children who have had to shutter their summertime lemonade stands due to the current coronavirus pandemic.