US economy shrank 3.5% in last year after growing 4% last quarter
Stuck in the grip of a viral pandemic, the U.S. economy grew at a 4% annual rate in the final three months of 2020 and shrank last year by the largest amount in 74 years.
Unemployment claims drop; still at 847,000 as pandemic rages on
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a historically high 847,000 last week, a sign that layoffs remain high as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage.
Legislators demand answers from EDD, Bank of America over unemployment cases
An assembly subcommittee overseeing the Employment Development Department, got an earful when EDD went so far as to claim that its old backlog has been cleared up.
Biden signs executive order for government to buy more US goods
President Joe Biden signed on Monday an executive order that aims to boost government purchases from U.S. manufacturers, according to administration officials.
Stimulus checks and your 2020 taxes: All of your questions, answered
The federal government has delivered two stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans as part of an effort to blunt the economic pain triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, but many are wondering how the payments could affect your 2020 taxes as filing season approaches.
Biden signs more executive orders, targeting COVID-19 economic relief
Joe Biden’s ambitious opening bid, his $1.9 trillion American Rescue economic package, will test the new president’s relationship with Congress.
Biden's Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen clears Senate committee
The Senate Finance Committee has approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of Janet Yellen to be the nation’s 78th Treasury secretary.
Unemployment claims fall to a still-high 900,000
Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, lowering claims to 900,000, still a historically high level that points to further job cuts in a raging pandemic.
California unemployment fraud could top $9.8 billion
California may have paid out nearly $10 billion in phony coronavirus unemployment claims — more than double the previous estimate — with some of that money going to organized crime in other countries.
Unemployment claims jump to 965,000 as resurgent virus takes toll
The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and a sign that the resurgent virus has likely escalated layoffs.
Jobless claims jump to 965,000 as COVID-19 pandemic takes toll
The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and evidence that the resurgent virus has caused a spike in layoffs.
Late start to crab season proves to be not as lucrative
With the crab season finally underway, we had hoped to see the first catches come back to port Wednesday afternoon. But we will have to wait a bit longer.
US budget deficit surges, up 60.7% in first 3 months of budget year
The U.S. government's deficit in the first three months of the budget year was a record-breaking $572.9 billion, 60.7% higher than the same period a year ago.
Schumer pledges quick delivery of $2,000 stimulus checks: 'We will get that done'
Senate Democrats plan to make another coronavirus relief package — including sending an additional stimulus payment to many Americans — one of their top priorities for the year once they assume control of the chamber.
Bay Area Safeway.com grocery drivers vote to unionize
For the first time in the company's history, Safeway grocery drivers have unionized, a spokesman for United Food and Commercial Workers says on Friday.
US lost 140,000 jobs in December; first monthly loss since spring
U.S. employers shed jobs last month for the first time since April, cutting 140,000 positions, clear evidence that the economy is faltering as the viral pandemic tightens its grip on consumers and businesses.
Jobless claims slip to still-high 787,000 in the US
The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell slightly to 787,000, evidence of a job market stumbling in the face of the viral pandemic and the damage it has inflicted on the economy for nearly 10 months.
Several San Mateo County cities hike local minimum wage for 2021
In 2021, several cities in San Mateo County will increase local minimum wage beyond California's 2021 rate of $14 per hour for employers with more than 25 employees.
As small businesses shutter, your gift cards are time-sensitive
Gift cards you received over the holidays may only have value for a limited time, as so many retailers face bankruptcy and economic uncertainty.
2020 was a devastating year for working Americans
Well over 1.1 million new unemployment claims just last week, down only slightly from the previous week but well over any other we experienced in the Great Recession.