COVID-19 relief bill: Democrats strike deal on jobless benefits after logjam

Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin have struck a deal over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

In hopeful sign for economy, US adds 379,000 jobs in February

U.S. employers added a robust 379,000 jobs last month, the most since October and a sign that the economy is strengthening as confirmed viral cases drop, consumers spend more and states and cities ease business restrictions.

Unemployment claims climb to 745,000; layoffs still high

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits edged higher last week to 745,000, a sign that many employers continue to cut jobs despite a drop in confirmed viral infections and evidence that the overall economy is improving.

Incarcerated California woman, accomplice accused of stealing more than $100K in EDD benefits

Officials say the state has paid at least $11 billion in benefits to people whose identities it has been unable to verify, which they say is likely fraud. Of that, $810 million was tied to ineligible prisoners.

Families who lost loved ones to COVID are clamoring for $7K funeral funds

Lottie Cotton a 73-year-old longtime San Francisco public school elementary school advisor, is one of the more than 500,000 people in the United States who have died of coronavirus since the pandemic first broke out last year, and now her family is hoping to be reimbursed for her funeral through a new program authorized last month.

Best Buy lays off 5,000 workers, adds part-time roles

Best Buy laid off 5,000 workers and added 2,000 part-time employees as the company responds to growing online sales during the pandemic and a diminishing need for in-store employees.

Unemployment claims drop to 730,000; pandemic keeps layoffs high

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week but remained high by historical standards.

Study suggests money can buy happiness — perhaps more than previously thought

The Wharton School study found there was no dollar value at which money stopped mattering to a person’s well-being, contrary to influential research that found happiness plateaued around $75,000 a year.

Tech stocks slide as bond yields spike, GameStop soars

Investors turned their focus to another wild surge in GameStop and a handful of other stocks favored by online investors.

39K in DC without unemployment benefits after technical glitch

A technical glitch is costing thousands of people who are out of work in D.C. their unemployment check. The Department of Employment Services said they have looked into the issue and those impacted should receive their money in the coming days.

COVID-19 relief: House Budget Committee OKs $1.9T bill containing $1,400 checks

Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package includes one-time $1,400 direct payments for individuals and an incremental minimum wage hike to $15 an hour.

Read the text: House Democrats publish full $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill — including $1,400 checks

On Friday, House Democrats published the full 591-page bill detailing their $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus proposal, which includes $1,400 checks for individuals making $75,000 a year or less as well as an increase to the federal minimum wage.