Business & Economy
Business & Economy
Oil Industry, Accustomed To Booms And Busts, Is Rocked By Pandemic
When the price of oil crashes, oil companies often merge and big oil gets even bigger. So this crisis could be an opportunity for companies, but it comes with a tremendous amount of uncertainty.
England To Lift Quarantine Rule For More Than 50 Nations — But Not For The U.S.
Effective July 10, travelers from “reduced risk” countries, including Spain, France, Germany and Italy, won’t have to self-Isolate for 14 days. The U.S. is not among the exempt countries.
The Latest Pandemic Shortage: Coins Are The New Toilet Paper
In another sign of how the coronavirus is disrupting commerce, banks are running short of nickels, dimes and quarters. The Federal Reserve, which supplies banks, is having to ration change.
Retail Sales Bounce Up 17.7% After Record Drop As States Reopen
Spending is still nowhere near last year’s. But as more states and cities allowed restaurants and shopping centers to reopen, May saw a big swing from a historic collapse in March and April.
Federal Reserve Vows To Help Economy Weather The Pandemic Recession
The Fed leaves interest rates near zero as expected, and promises to use all of its tools to support the economy. Officials project unemployment above 9% at the end of this year.
It’s Official: The U.S. Economy Is In A Recession. How Long Will It Last Is Uncertain
The committee tasked with marking U.S. business cycles says the economy peaked in February and has since been in a recession triggered by the pandemic. But it says the recession could be short-lived.
Frustrated By Delayed Unemployment Benefits, Laid Off Workers Turn To Washington Supreme Court
Frustration with long delays in getting jobless benefits is boiling over into a lawsuit against the Washington State Employment Security Department. Attorneys representing two laid off workers and the nonprofit Unemployment Law Project filed the case directly with the state Supreme Court on Friday.
Washington’s Smallest Counties Will Lead The Way Into Phase 3 Of State’s Reopening Plan
Nine rural counties are eligible to apply to the state Secretary of Health this week to move to the next stage in Gov. Jay Inslee’s four-phase reopening plan. Lincoln, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Columbia and Wahkiakum counties wasted no time and submitted the necessary paperwork and letters of support on Wednesday to advance from Phase 2 to Phase 3.
Millions Of Americans Skip Payments As Tidal Wave Of Defaults And Evictions Looms
Hardship programs appear to be helping many people pause payments and survive the economic shutdown so far. But not everybody is getting the help, and advocates see big potential trouble ahead.
From Jobs To Homeownership, Protests Put Spotlight On Racial Economic Divide
African Americans are 40% less likely to own their homes than whites. And blacks are more likely to hold jobs that put them at risk of the coronavirus. The civil unrest follows decades of inequality.
Washington’s ‘Stay Home’ Order Ends June 1, With State Moving To County-By-County Approach
Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order will end at midnight on May 31. Instead, state officials will use a phased plan outlined at the beginning of the month to govern county-by-county reopening permissions.
Idaho Moves To Phase 3 Of 4-Stage Reopening Plan
Idaho Governor Brad Little announced Thursday his state is ready to move on to the next phase of its coronavirus reopening plan, beginning Saturday, May 30.
