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.

US airport traffic rising despite holiday travel warnings

More than 1 million people have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints in each of the past two days in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored.

Fight over Fed powers stalls $900 billion aid plan

An arcane battle over emergency Federal Reserve powers is frustrating efforts to lock down an agreement on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package.

US jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of coronavirus

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy’s recovery.

California's growth rate hits record low as more people leave state

California saw its slowest growth rate on record for the nation’s most populous state, adding just 21,200 people during the year that ended in July.

California’s commercial crab season to open December 23

There could be Dungeness crab for Christmas after all. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday commercial crab season will open statewide on Wednesday, Dec. 23. 

Unemployed Americans losing benefits on Dec. 26 face bleak holiday season

Unemployed people interviewed by KTVU expressed disappointment with the lack of enduring economic support during a pandemic, and lamented the loss of a comfortable and joyous holiday season. 

US budget deficit up 25.1% in first 2 months of budget year

The Treasury reported that with two months gone in the budget year, the deficit totaled $429.3 billion, up from $343.3 billion last year.

Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPO

Thirteen years after its founders first rented air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment, Airbnb is making its long-awaited stock market debut.

New White House offer adds $600 stimulus checks to COVID-19 relief

It proposes the $600 direct payment for individuals and $1,200 for couples, which is half the payment delivered by the March pandemic relief bill.

US economy will return to pre-pandemic levels by second-half of 2021, experts predict

The U.S. economy's growth is likely slowing as 2020 comes to a close, but a growing number of economists expect it to claw back to its pre-pandemic strength by the second half of next year.

Employers add a modest 245,000 jobs in November as coronavirus pandemic intensifies

America’s employers scaled back their hiring last month as the viral pandemic accelerated across the country, adding 245,000 jobs, the fewest since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown.

Unemployment claims remain high at 712,000 as COVID-19 pandemic escalates

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to a still-high 712,000, the latest sign that the U.S. economy and job market remain under stress from the intensified viral outbreak.

IRS admits to erroneously sending $34M in COVID-19 stimulus funds overseas

The IRS acknowledged that it was responsible for sending $34 million worth of COVID-19 stimulus checks to ineligible people living outside of the United States.

Work in paradise: Hawaii offering incentives to remote workers who move to state

Hawaii’s new Movers and Shakas program hopes to attract talented individuals to the islands to work remotely, forging an economy resilient to economic downturns like the one triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.