US achieves another pandemic low with 444,000 new unemployment claims

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease.

Amazon seeks to hire 75,000 workers; offers $100 to vaccinated hires

Amazon is seeking to hire 75,000 people in a tight job market and is offering bonuses to attract workers, including $100 for new hires who are already vaccinated for COVID-19.

Biden touts economic recovery plan as Treasury Dept. starts paying out $350B in state and local aid

President Biden on Monday announced steps to make it easier for employers to hire new workers and touted the country’s economic recovery plan following a disappointing April jobs report.

Chamber of Commerce calls for end to enhanced jobless aid

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling for Washington to immediately stop paying out-of-work Americans an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits, saying the boost in government aid is giving some recipients less incentive to look for work.

Biden says economic recovery a marathon, not a sprint amid weak jobs report

U.S. employers added just 266,000 jobs last month, sharply lower than in March and a sign that some businesses are struggling to find enough workers.

Unemployment claims fall to 553,000

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped by 13,000 last week to 553,000, the lowest level since the pandemic hit last March and another sign the economy is recovering from the coronavirus recession.

US economy grew at a robust 6.4% rate last quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a brisk 6.4% annual rate last quarter — a show of strength fueled by government aid and declining viral cases that could drive further gains as the nation rebounds with unusual speed from the pandemic recession.

Florida McDonald's offers $50 just to show up for job interview

A McDonald's location is so desperate for workers that it has offered people $50 just to show up for a job interview.

Unemployment claims fall to 547,000, a new pandemic low

The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck and a further encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.

Unemployment claims fall to 576,000, lowest since COVID-19 pandemic began

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 576,000, a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession.

Struggling food truck owner finds ally in hungry Plano pizza shop owner

A suburban mom who was really struggling with her new food truck business found an ally that has helped turned things around. It’s a heartwarming story that started with a craving for Jamaican food.

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.

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.

Stimulus checks: IRS says next batch of payments will be disbursed in coming days

Officials from the IRS and U.S. Treasury said Monday the next batch of COVID-19 stimulus payments will start hitting bank accounts later this week. Mailed checks will start going out as well.

US unemployment claims rise to 770,000 with layoffs still high

The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly variations, dropped to 746,000, the lowest since late November.

Layoffs ease as unemployment claims drop to 712,000

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000, the lowest total since early November.

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.

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.