Business & Economy
Business & Economy

Here’s Who’s Being Hit Hardest By The Economic Downturn
The current estimated unemployment rate far exceeds the 10 percent peak reached in the Great Recession in 2009. It is the most devastating loss of jobs since the Great Depression, when economists estimate the unemployment rate reached 25 percent in 1933. Continue Reading Here’s Who’s Being Hit Hardest By The Economic Downturn

‘Let My People Go’: Opponents Of Coronavirus Measures Again Freely Gather To Protest In Olympia
For the second time in a month, opponents of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s extended “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order – many of them openly carrying firearms – rallied at the state Capitol Saturday in an event that brought together sign-waving citizens, conservative state legislators, Republican and Libertarian candidates for public office and members of far-right groups. Continue Reading ‘Let My People Go’: Opponents Of Coronavirus Measures Again Freely Gather To Protest In Olympia

For The History Books: 14.7% Unemployment, 20.5 Million Jobs Wiped Away, At Least Temporarily
U.S. employers shed a record number of jobs in April, as the unemployment rate climbed to the highest since the Great Depression. The coronavirus crisis has locked down much of the economy. Continue Reading For The History Books: 14.7% Unemployment, 20.5 Million Jobs Wiped Away, At Least Temporarily

Can George Washington Buy Wooden Teeth With This Washington Town’s New Wooden Money?
Tenino, a small town in Thurston County, Washington, has approved a plan to print its own money on strips of wood. Again. It’s a response to the COVID-19 crisis that’s modeled after how the town responded to a prior crisis — the Great Depression. Continue Reading Can George Washington Buy Wooden Teeth With This Washington Town’s New Wooden Money?

How The Small Business Loan Program Went Wrong In Just 4 Weeks
Not-so-small companies like Shake Shack and organizations like the LA Lakers were able to get loans that were meant for suffering small businesses. What happened? Continue Reading How The Small Business Loan Program Went Wrong In Just 4 Weeks

I Said Hay, What’s Going On? Supply Chain Breakdown Hurting Big Northwest Ag Exports
An unprecedented number of ships have canceled their calls to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. So far this year, there have been 32 canceled international sailings since January 1. That has created the shortage of shipping containers at those Northwest ports. Continue Reading I Said Hay, What’s Going On? Supply Chain Breakdown Hurting Big Northwest Ag Exports

House Judiciary Committee Calls On Amazon’s Bezos To Testify
The House Judiciary Committee has threatened to subpoena Amazon founder Jeff Bezos if he does not voluntarily address the company possibly misleading Congress in earlier testimony. Continue Reading House Judiciary Committee Calls On Amazon’s Bezos To Testify

Jay Inslee Extends Coronavirus Closures Through May, Outlines Phased Plan To Reopen
Washington’s ‘stay home’ order will extend until at least May 31. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the new time frame and that businesses will be able to open over four phases. Continue Reading Jay Inslee Extends Coronavirus Closures Through May, Outlines Phased Plan To Reopen

Idaho Gov. Brad Little Begins Lifting Stay-Home Measures To ‘Re-open’ Economy
Idaho Governor Brad Little kicked off the process Thursday of “re-opening” the state after five weeks of “stay home, stay healthy” measures to help stem the spread of coronavirus. Continue Reading Idaho Gov. Brad Little Begins Lifting Stay-Home Measures To ‘Re-open’ Economy

A Staggering Toll: 30 Million Have Filed For Unemployment
Another 3.8 million people filed claims for unemployment last week, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to weigh on the U.S. job market. That brought the total for the past 6 weeks to 30.3 million. Continue Reading A Staggering Toll: 30 Million Have Filed For Unemployment

‘Tip Of The Iceberg’: Economy Shrinks At 4.8% Pace, But Worst Is Yet To Come
The economy contracted in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus began to take its toll and spending dived. It’s the first quarterly drop in six years and a likely precursor to a deep recession. Continue Reading ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’: Economy Shrinks At 4.8% Pace, But Worst Is Yet To Come

3.4 Million Homeowners Skip Payments. But Many Are Scared, Say Congress Needs To Act
Homeowners say that to catch up on payments, lenders demand big balloon payments they can’t afford. Advocates want Congress to mandate that missed payments simply be added to the end of the loan term. Continue Reading 3.4 Million Homeowners Skip Payments. But Many Are Scared, Say Congress Needs To Act