Amazon warehouse workers reject union bid in Alabama
Amazon workers voted against forming a union at a warehouse in Alabama, handing the online retail giant a decisive victory and cutting off a path that labor activists had hoped would lead to similar efforts throughout the company and beyond.
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.
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.
USDA reaches settlement in SNAP benefits case, will expand access to emergency benefits
Roughly 1 million state residents will have access to emergency food benefits following a settlement reached this week in a lawsuit filed last year against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Homes selling faster than ever even as prices rise to all-time highs
About 59% of homes that went under contract had an accepted offer within two weeks of hitting the market.
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.
‘Checkout with Crypto’: PayPal to allow customers to use cryptocurrency for online purchases
PayPal announced on Tuesday that it will be launching “Checkout with Crypto,” which allows users to pay with cryptocurrency when making purchases online.
Uber opens new San Francisco Mission Bay headquarters
Uber's new Mission Bay headquarters opened on Monday but is only allowing 20% of its workers back and on a voluntary basis.
Average US price of gas jumps a nickel per gallon to $2.94
The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline jumped a nickel per gallon over the past two weeks to $2.94.
No timeline given for extracting wedged container ship from Suez Canal
A giant container ship remained stuck sideways in Egypt’s Suez Canal for a fifth day Saturday, as authorities made new attempts to free the vessel and reopen a crucial waterway.
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 $1,400 stimulus checks to hit bank accounts Wednesday
President Joe Biden approved the stimulus payments last week.
California’s light-speed housing boom driven by FOMO
In January, California beat an almost 18-year record for a single month's home sales and pricing spike. The last time prices and sales rocketed up more than 20% in a single month? August 2003.
Average US price of gas shoots up 25 cents a gallon to $2.89
The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline jumped 25 cents a gallon over the past three weeks to $2.89. The highest average price in the nation is $3.86 a gallon in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Cities, counties to get American Rescue Plan funds within 60 days
California's counties and large cities can expect to receive money from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in two parts with the first coming in 60 days from Thursday.
Government delays create roadblock to work for DREAMers
As the Dream Act continues to hobble through Congress, the human toll on innocent, undocumented immigrant young people continues to create nightmares.
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.
Feds to auction part of a Bitcoin in rare online auction
The federal government is auctioning off a Bitcoin, or at least part of one. The General Services Administration made the announcement on Monday.
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.