Unemployment hits yet another new high in California
With the nearly 3 million new unemployment claims filed this week, the U.S. now has seen 35.5 million workers file for benefits in the last 2 months. We are at the point where we must balance money and jobs with disease and death.
Powell warns of a possible sustained recession from pandemic
Additional rescue aid from government spending or tax policies, though costly, would be “worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said.
Frustrated with COVID-19 shutdown, Elon Musk threatens to move Tesla HQ and Fremont factory out of California
In a series of tweets Saturday morning, Musk announced he would move the company's headquarters and flagship Fremont factory, as well as future programs to Texas and Nevada - out of California.
Another 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week
The U.S. Department of Labor released its weekly jobs report. The report found nearly 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week. More than 33 million people have filed claims since mid-March.
Popular Camp Galileo files for bankruptcy
Galileo let go of many of its employees when it was forced to cancel programs because of shelter-in-place orders.
As California faces a $54 billion budget shortfall, Congress prepares a second CARES bill to support local governments
"We're projecting tens of billions of dollars of shortfalls all specifically related to COVID-19," said Governor Gavin Newsom during a Thursday briefing.
White House Coronavirus Task Force could wind down work by early June
The White House has begun discussions about winding down its coronavirus task force, which has already been meeting less frequently, Vice President Mike Pence said. Its members have become fixtures on television sets across the nation, with Americans hungry for information and marooned at home.
US jobless claims soar past 30 million as 3.8 million more workers seek aid
More than 3.8 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the U.S. economy slid further into a crisis that is becoming the most devastating since the 1930s.
US economy shrank at 4.8% rate last quarter as coronavirus struck
The U.S. economy shrank at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter as the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the country and began triggering a recession that will end the longest expansion on record.
Average US gas price drops 9 cents over 2 weeks to $1.93
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that prices at the pump have dropped 61 cents over the past nine weeks and 80 cents since mid-October.
Coronavirus brews up big trouble for the craft brewery business
Until the coronavirus, brew pub crawling was a fun contact sport where folks stood and sat shoulder to shoulder hoisting a mug.
Social Security and Medicare funds at risk even before coronavirus pandemic
For Social Security, the projected 2035 date for exhausting the trust fund reserves means that it would be able to pay only 79% of benefits.
Oil price goes negative as demand collapses; stocks dip
The price for oil plummeted to negative $3.70 per barrel, as of 2:15 p.m. Eastern time.
With low gasoline demand, Contra Costa County refinery announces temporarily production halt
Work to wind down production at the Marathon Martinez Refinery began Sunday, said refinery spokeswoman Patty Deutsche, and will be complete by Monday, April 27. It isn't known how long production will be idled.
Global health crisis pits economic against health concerns
Protesters worrying about their livelihoods and bucking infringements on their freedom took to the streets in some places.
Forest Service OKs expanded Reno ski resort, skier bridge
The expansion allows for construction of a 5-million-gallon water tank that will boost snow-making capabilities in an effort to transform the Mount Rose resort into a “key destination attraction,” agency officials said.
US job losses surge, April unemployment claims highest ever recorded
"This is a whole different magnitude the numbers what we're seeing," said longtime labor lawyer and former director of the state EDD, Michael Bernick.
Largest ship in North American history to dock tomorrow at Port of Oakland
The MSC Anna, which is longer than the Salesforce Tower is tall, is expected to pass under the Bay Bridge at about 12:45 p.m. and dock around 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Emergency small business fund running low, local businesses are worrying
Democrats blocked a fast-track bid to pass the funding last week, and Republicans in turn stymied their efforts for additional funding for other priorities in a brief debate that was mostly a messaging exercise.
San Francisco supervisors approve paid leave extension for healthcare workers
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors unanimously approved emergency legislation Tuesday to extend paid leave for the city's health care providers working for large private employers.