Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs around the US
With the floodgates set to open on another round of unemployment aid, states are being hammered with a new wave of fraud as they scramble to update security systems and block scammers who already have siphoned billions of dollars.
State revenues soar, rich get richer during pandemic
California's bank account is overflowing. As of January, the state's tax collections were $10.5 billion ahead of projections.
House passes $1.9 trillion relief bill, Senate expected to vote next week
Democrats are ready to shove a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package through the House on Friday.
DoorDash's sales more than tripled in Q4 due to pandemic-driven demand
DoorDash said its revenue more than tripled last year thanks to pandemic-driven demand, but it still lost money because it spent more heavily on marketing and expanding its business.
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.
US jobless claims at 730K, fewest in 3 months
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week in a sign that layoffs may have eased, though applications for aid remain at a historically high level.
Republicans rally solidly against Democrats' COVID-19 relief package
Republicans are rallying solidly against Democrats’ proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.
Lawsuits filed against auto insurers over excessive rates amid COVID-19 pandemic
Class action lawsuits were filed in Nevada against 10 major auto insurance companies on Tuesday, contending that the companies charged excessive insurance premiums during the pandemic by failing to account for a drop in driving and crashes.
Average US price of gas up 14 cents a gallon to $2.64
The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline jumped 14 cents a gallon over the past two weeks to $2.64. Meanwhile, the highest average price in the nation is $3.57 a gallon, here in the Bay Area.
Albany City Council enacts cap on food delivery service fees
A temporary limit on food delivery service fees by third-party services was approved Tuesday by the Albany City Council.
Pandemic restaurant closures produce glut of industrial-grade equipment
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced tens of thousands of restaurants to permanently shut their doors. As a result, industrial food service equipment is piling up like never before.
EDD employees quitting in droves, loses 14% of workforce since March
It appears that a growing number of beleaguered and disillusioned Employment Development Department workers are hanging up their headphones and walking away in droves.
California virus aid plan would pay $600 to millions of low-income residents
Millions of low-income Californians will receive $600 checks if the California Legislature approves plans to spend $9.6 billion in new pandemic relief.
US unemployment claims jump to 861,000 as layoffs stay high
The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid rose last week to 861,000, evidence that layoffs remain painfully high despite a steady drop in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
AOC pushes back after Biden dismisses progressives' plan to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized President Biden after he shot down a proposal from progressive Democrats to eliminate $50,000 in student loan debt, saying the president's arguments against acting unilaterally on the matter "just don't hold water."
Price for one Bitcoin surpasses $50K for first time
The seemingly unstoppable rise of Bitcoin continued Tuesday with the cost of a single unit of the digital currency rising above $50,000 for the first time.
How will remote work beyond the pandemic impact the Bay Area?
Some Bay Area companies are rewriting the rules for how and where employees can work post-pandemic.
2021 tax filing season fast facts
Tax season officially began on Friday and it is shaping up to be another hectic year for taxpayers, preparers and the IRS.
Did you get the right stimulus check amount? Why you need to know before filing your tax return
Americans who have not received their coronavirus stimulus check payments, or who received the incorrect amount, have an opportunity to claim the missing money now that the 2020 tax season is officially underway.
Uniqlo latest to close shop as Union Square retail faces troubling trend
Japanese retailer Uniqlo joins a growing number of retailers in San Francisco's Union Square that have closed their doors for good during the pandemic.