business Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Retail Spending Dips For 3rd Straight Month As Infections Surge

By NPR News January 15, 2021

Shoppers walk past a "Sale" sign outside a store at the Easton Town Center Mall in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 7. CREDIT: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Even as people continue to splurge on shopping, they cut back on going out to eat and shop. Plus, the earlier-than-usual holiday shopping season meant online shopping as well sales of electronics and appliances dipped in December. Gas stations saw the biggest jump in spending last month, up 6.6%, as people traveled for holiday visits despite health warnings. Read More

Farmers Got Big Government Pandemic Relief In 2020, Even Those Who Didn’t Need It

By NPR News December 31, 2020

The aid, delivered in two separate packages over the course of the year, went to a wide variety of people in agriculture, including corn and soybean farmers, cattle ranchers, and fruit and vegetable producers. The $46 billion in direct government payments to farmers in 2020 broke the previous annual record by about $10 billion, even after accounting for inflation. Read More

The Spectacular Rise Of SPACs: The Backwards IPO That’s Taking Over Wall Street

By NPR News December 29, 2020

Shaquille O'Neal's got a SPAC. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan's got a SPAC. Famed investor Bill Ackman launched a $4 billion SPAC. And a 25-year-old became the youngest self-made billionaire thanks to — you guessed it — a SPAC. So what is a SPAC? A "special purpose acquisition company" is a way for a company to go public without all the paperwork of a traditional IPO, or Read More

Entrepreneur Launches Bowling Alley On Wheels During The Pandemic

By NPR News December 12, 2020

Luxury Strike CEO Terence Jackson Jr. came up with the concept two years ago and funded the venture by selling a couple condos he owned and pretty much all of his assets. Laura Herberg/NPR

Terence Jackson Jr., 34, runs Luxury Strike Bowling, a rentable, private mobile bowling alley that offers a unique entertainment alternative to Zoom parties as the city remains on lockdown. Continue Reading Entrepreneur Launches Bowling Alley Read More

Americans Want More COVID Economic Relief. Most Think Congress Should Compromise

By PBS Newshour December 10, 2020

The U.S. economy shrank in the first quarter, as the coronavirus lockdown began.

Two-thirds of Americans say the federal government has not done enough to ease the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll. Continue Reading Americans Want Read More

‘Warning Signs Flashing’: Job Growth Slows Sharply As Pandemic Takes Toll On Economy

By NPR News December 4, 2020

A person cleans a table in an outdoor tented dining area of a restaurant in Sacramento, Calif., on Nov. 19. Job growth slowed sharply in November as relief aid is due to expire at the end of the year. CREDIT: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

U.S. employers added just 245,000 jobs last month as the runaway pandemic continued to weigh on hiring. The unemployment rate fell to 6.7% from 6.9% in October. Continue Reading ‘Warning Signs Flashing’: Job Growth Read More

As Washington Restaurants Close Indoors Again, Some In Hard-Hit Yakima Say They Won’t

By Scott Leadingham November 24, 2020

Server Luis Velez opens a bottle of wine for customers Mary Graf, left, Sophie Mandel and Andy Peraza, right, shown through a sheet of plastic surrounding the table, on Wednesday, October 21 , 2020, at Spinasse on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Earlier this year, Yakima County was among the worst-hit places for COVID-19 in Washington and the West Coast. It and the Tri-Cities region were among the last counties to open for indoor bar and restaurant service. Now, with another statewide closure, some restaurant operators are pushing back and refusing to close. Read More

What Blockbuster Automaker Profits Tell Us About The Pandemic Economy

By NPR News November 8, 2020

Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., with the 2021 Ford F-150 King Ranch truck in September in Dearborn, Mich. Strong demand for high-margin vehicles such as pickups has propelled Ford and its rivals to remarkably strong earnings this past quarter. CREDIT: Nic Antaya/Getty Images

The auto industry was devastated this spring by coronavirus shutdowns. But the recovery has been much faster and stronger than anyone anticipated as demand for new trucks and SUVs continues. Continue Reading What Blockbuster Automaker Read More

Billions In COVID-19 Relief Loans May Have Been Handed Out To Scammers, Report Says

By NPR News October 28, 2020

A store displays a sign before closing down permanently following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, on Aug. 4, 2020 in Arlington, Va. The Small Business Administration's inspector general office said billions of dollars in relief loans may have been handed out to fraudsters or ineligible applicants. CREDIT: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The Small Business Administration had to quickly disburse coronavirus relief loans. But some of that may have been handed out to fraudsters, an agency report says. Continue Reading Billions In COVID-19 Relief Loans May Have Read More

‘I’m Still Unemployed’: Millions In Dire Situation As Savings Start To Run Out

By NPR News October 17, 2020

Hundreds of unemployed Kentucky residents wait in long lines outside the Kentucky Career Center in Frankfort for help with their unemployment claims on June 19. New research shows savings built up by the jobless are starting to run out. John Sommers II/Getty Images

Many unemployed Americans have been tapping into their savings to pay bills. But those savings are going fast, and hopes for a new round of pandemic relief before the election are fading. Continue Reading ‘I’m Still Read More

United And American Airlines Tell 32,000 Employees They’re Now On Furlough

By NPR News October 1, 2020

American Airlines check-in counters sit closed last month behind plastic barriers at Los Angeles International Airport. CREDIT: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images

"To our departing 13,000 family members: thank you for your dedication and we look forward to welcoming you back," United told employees, as CARES Act payroll aid was set to expire. Continue Reading United And American Airlines Tell Read More

From Pullman To Ellensburg To Bellingham, College Towns Feel The Coronavirus Economic Slump

By NWPB News September 24, 2020

The Cougar Cottage in Pullman, known widely just as "The Coug," is a staple for students, staff and alumni during the year, especially football season and celebrating big events like graduation. It's been open as it could during the pandemic, with safety measures in place. Courtesy of The Cougar Cottage

Online classes and no fall college sports spell trouble for Washington college towns like Pullman, Ellensburg and Bellingham that lean on a higher education-fueled economy. Continue Reading From Pullman To Ellensburg Read More

Tablet And Phone Cameras Monitor Mask-Wearing And Distancing In Cafes And Lobbies

By Tom Banse September 7, 2020

Screen grab from a Nomad Go demo video showing a kiosk that monitors mask compliance at a building entry. CREDIT: Nomad Go

The four-year-old startup Nomad Go in Kirkland, Washington, sells software for building management -- to monitor lines and speed of service, for example. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, co-founder and CEO David Greschler realized his company's image analysis tools could be enhanced to show not only percent occupancy, but also mask compliance and if people are properly Read More

She Followed Rules And Took COVID Seriously. But Now An Olympia Gym Owner Is ‘Freaking Pissed’

By Austin Jenkins August 13, 2020

Tiffany Krueger, owner of Athena Fitness and Wellness in Olympia, says the governor's new 17-foot distancing rule for fitness clubs is unfair and could put her out of business. Courtesy of Tiffany Krueger

On Aug. 3, Gov. Inslee announced new rules for indoor fitness studios and gyms that nearly tripled the required spacing between class participants from six feet to 17 feet. Krueger expressed her frustration in a 4-minute video she posted to Instagram. “I have to say that I am freaking pissed,” she said in the video. “We’re unable to pay our bills with these mandates; that Read More

Payroll Tax Delay To Boost Take-Home Pay, But Don’t Spend It Yet

By NPR News August 12, 2020

Employers are supposed to stop withholding the payroll tax on Sept. 1. But companies need guidance from the IRS on exactly who is eligible to have their taxes suspended and how to keep track so those taxes can eventually be repaid. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

President Trump has directed the Treasury Department to stop collecting payroll taxes this fall in an effort to boost workers' paychecks. But the move is temporary, and could spark headaches in 2021. Continue Reading Payroll Tax Delay To Boost Read More

Foreign Workers Living Overseas Mistakenly Received $1,200 U.S. Stimulus Checks

By NPR News August 5, 2020

Stimulus checks are prepared on May 8, 2008, in Philadelphia. In 2020, stimulus checks again went to many Americans, this time during the pandemic's economic fallout. Some of that money went to thousands of foreign workers not eligible to receive the funds. CREDIT: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

Thousands of foreign workers who entered the U.S. on temporary work visas received $1,200 pandemic stimulus checks in error, and many of them are spending the money in their home countries. Continue Reading Foreign Workers Living Read More

Unsuitable For A Pandemic? Add Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank To Bankruptcy List

By NPR News August 3, 2020

An employee works inside a Jos. A. Bank retail store in San Francisco. The parent company Tailored Brands earlier said it would close up to 500 stores and cut 20% of corporate jobs. CREDIT: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The parent company Tailored Brands earlier said it would close up to 500 stores and cut 20% of corporate jobs. It's joined in pandemic bankruptcy by rival Brooks Brothers and a growing list of others. Continue Reading Unsuitable For A Read More

U.S. Economy Drops 32.9% In Worst GDP Report Ever

By NPR News July 30, 2020

A movie theater is seen closed due to the coronavirus pandemic on July 2, 2020, in Brea, Calif. The U.S. economy shrank at a record 32.9% rate in the second quarter as the pandemic cost tens of millions of jobs. CREDIT: Jae C. Hong/AP

The coronavirus triggered the sharpest economic contraction in modern history in the second quarter as the pandemic hammered the economy, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Continue Reading U.S. Economy Drops 32.9% In Worst GDP Report EverRead More

After Delays, Republicans Rolled Out A New Pandemic Relief Bill. Democrats Balked

By NPR News July 27, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, with President Trump at the White House. The GOP has unveiled a new pandemic relief bill but tough negotiations lie ahead with Democrats. Evan Vucci/AP

After days of delays, congressional Republicans unveiled their $1 trillion proposal for a fifth wave of pandemic relief. Democrats are not on board — signaling tough negotiations ahead. Continue Reading After Delays, Republicans Read More

Retail Sales Bounce Up 17.7% After Record Drop As States Reopen

By NPR News June 16, 2020

Social distancing instructions are posted at California's Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall on June 12, as local businesses enter Phase 3 reopening. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

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. Continue Reading Retail Sales Bounce Up 17.7% After Read More

Federal Reserve Vows To Help Economy Weather The Pandemic Recession

By NPR News June 10, 2020

An employee sets a table for pickup orders at a restaurant in Arlington, Va. Even as states are moving to reopen their economies, tens of millions are out of work. CREDIT: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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. Continue Reading Federal Reserve Vows To Help Economy Weather Read More

It’s Official: The U.S. Economy Is In A Recession. How Long Will It Last Is Uncertain

By NPR News June 8, 2020

Boxes of food are loaded on vehicles last month at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The country has officially entered a recession amid the pandemic, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday. CREDIT: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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. Continue Reading It’s Read More

Frustrated By Delayed Unemployment Benefits, Laid Off Workers Turn To Washington Supreme Court

By Tom Banse June 6, 2020

Laid-off restaurant worker Katrina Thiessen is frustrated by the weeks-long delay in having her unemployment claim approved.

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. Read More

40.8 Million Out Of Work In The Past 10 Weeks — 26% Of Labor Force

By NPR News May 28, 2020

A Seattle barbershop remains closed because of the coronavirus outbreak on May 19. Last week, an additional 2.1 million people filed for unemployment benefits around the country.

More than 1 in 4 U.S. workers have lost their jobs since coronavirus shutdowns began. Last week, an additional 2.1 million people filed for unemployment benefits. Continue Reading 40.8 Million Out Of Work In The Past 10 Weeks — 26% Of Labor Read More

Boeing Cuts More Than 12,000 Jobs Due To Drop In Air Travel

By NPR News May 27, 2020

A line of Boeing 737 MAX jets sit parked on the airfield adjacent to a Boeing production plant last month in Renton, Wash. Boeing now says it is cutting thousands of jobs

The number of people traveling by air has plummeted more than 90% since the beginning of March. More than half of the employees losing their jobs are being laid off involuntarily. Continue Reading Boeing Cuts More Than 12,000 Jobs Due To Drop In Air Read More

From Camping To Dining Out To Weddings: How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities

By NPR News May 24, 2020

Graphic - going to the beach CREDIT: Meredith Miotke for NPR

The weather's warming up and public spaces are starting to reopen. How do you decide what's safe to do? We have guidance to help you compare and evaluate the risks. Continue Reading From Camping To Dining Out To Read More

Eastern Washington Small Businesses Get Coronavirus Relief Through State Grants

By Doug Nadvornick May 21, 2020

Owen's Grocery and Deli in Newport is one of nearly 200 eastern Washington small businesses to receive state coronavirus relief grants from the state. Courtesy of Owen's Grocery and Deli

Washington’s Commerce Department has announced about $10 million in coronavirus relief grants for some of the state’s smallest businesses. Nearly 200 businesses in rural eastern Washington towns are among the recipients. Continue Read More

About Half Of U.S. Homes Lost Wages During Pandemic, Census Bureau Finds

By NPR News May 20, 2020

People wait in a long line to receive a food bank donation at the Barclays Center on May 15 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Across the country, cities and towns are dealing with the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression.

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, 47% of adults say their households have lost employment income and close to 40% have delayed getting medical care, according to early results of a Census Bureau survey. Continue Reading About Half Of U.S. Read More

Target’s Average Day In April Was Bigger Than Cyber Monday

By NPR News May 20, 2020

Target said it relied on its physical stores to fill 80% of online sales in the past three months.

Though its stores remained open, Target saw its online sales jump 141% in the past three months, with 5 million shopping on the retailer chain's website for the first time. Continue Reading Target’s Average Day In April Was Bigger Than Cyber Read More

Senators Clash Over How Soon To Reopen The Economy

By NPR News May 19, 2020

Lawmakers squabbled over how quickly the economy can rebound from the coronavirus shutdown and whether the government is doing enough to support struggling families and businesses. Continue Reading Senators Clash Over How Soon To Reopen The EconomyRead More

10 More Washington Counties, Including Larger Ones Like Spokane, Eligible For Earlier Reopening

By NWPB News May 19, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said May 19 that his office is finishing guidelines for more populous counties to allow more businesses to open. CREDIT: TVW

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday said that 10 additional counties are eligible to apply to loosen some social distancing restrictions in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Continue Reading 10 More Washington Read More

Businesses Are Reopening, But Many Customers May Not Be Ready To Go Back

By NPR News May 18, 2020

Shoppers began showing up earlier this month at the International Plaza mall in Tampa, Fla. Mall business has been slow to pick up because a lot of people remain reluctant to venture out.

Governors around the country have begun slowly allowing stores, restaurants and malls to serve customers again. But it won't count for much if people are afraid to venture out again. Continue Reading Businesses Are Reopening, But Many Read More

Pandemic Hits Spending Hard; 79% Dive In Clothing Sales Leads A Record Plunge

By NPR News May 15, 2020

Month-by-month change in U.S. retail spending since January 2007.

Retail sales saw record drops for the second month in a row. Other categories with huge declines included a 59% dive in furniture sales and 29% decreases in department stores and gas stations. Continue Reading Pandemic Hits Spending Read More

We’re Eating More At Home, And It’s Costing Us More

By NPR News May 13, 2020

The latest inflation data offers a snapshot of Americans' new pandemic spending habits. Prices are down for most goods and services but up sharply for groceries. Continue Reading We’re Eating More At Home, And It’s Costing Us MoreRead More

For The History Books: 14.7% Unemployment, 20.5 Million Jobs Wiped Away, At Least Temporarily

By NPR News May 8, 2020

Notes: All values are seasonally adjusted. In the bar chart, figures for the two most recent months are preliminary and may be revised later. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (unemployment rate, payrolls, wages)

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 Read More

Can George Washington Buy Wooden Teeth With This Washington Town’s New Wooden Money?

By NWPB News May 8, 2020

The design for wooden money Tenino, Washington, plans to print in response to the COVID-19 crisis, modeled after a Depression-era effort.

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. Read More

Jay Inslee Extends Coronavirus Closures Through May, Outlines Phased Plan To Reopen

By NWPB News May 1, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced an extension of the state's stay home, stay healthy measures through May, while unveiling a four-phase economic reopening and recovery plane. CREDIT: TVW

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 Read More

When Is It Safe To Ease Social Distancing? Here’s What One Model Says For Each State

By NPR News April 26, 2020

South Carolina has permitted retail stores to reopen to customers. It's one of a handful of states easing up on some social distancing restrictions. Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some states are moving forward, but many would be wise to wait, according to experts at the University of Washington. Here's their estimate for each state's safe date to reopen. Continue Reading When Is It Safe To Ease Social Read More

President Trump Signs New Coronavirus Bill For Small Businesses And Hospital Relief

By NPR News April 24, 2020

President Trump a new coronavirus economic aid package, largely targeted to support small businesses, in the Oval Office on Friday. CREDIT: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The biggest item in the $484 billion measure is roughly $321 billion in additional funding for a small-business loan program. President Trump signed the legislation on Friday. Continue Reading President Trump Signs New Read More

Gov. Brad Little Announces 4-Stage Reopening And Recovery Plan For Idaho

By Doug Nadvornick April 23, 2020

Idaho has created a new website to share details of its new four-stage coronavirus reopening plan.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has announced a four-stage plan for re-opening the state’s businesses and communities after closures due to the coronavirus. The first stage is scheduled to take effect May 1. Continue Reading Gov. Brad Little Read More

‘Illegal To Essential’: How The Coronavirus Is Boosting The Legal Cannabis Industry

By NPR News April 20, 2020

More than 20 states designated marijuana businesses essential during the coronavirus shutdown. Cannabis activists say it's a remarkable development, given that it remains illegal under federal law. Continue Reading Read More

Surge In Unemployment Continues As Clunky State Systems Await Upgrades

By Tom Banse April 17, 2020

Shavonne Maes paints a mural onto the boarded up facade of Some Random Bar on March 26, 2020, in Seattle.

Fresh numbers of initial claims for jobless benefits showed some moderation in the past week in the staggering wave of layoffs across the Northwest caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But the level of unemployment claims continues to hover at record levels, as reported Thursday by the state labor and employment departments of Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Read More

10 Years Of Spectacular U.S. Job Growth Nearly Wiped Out In 4 Weeks

By NPR News April 16, 2020

People who lost their jobs wait in line to file for unemployment benefits at an Arkansas Workforce Center in Fayetteville, Ark., on April 6. CREDIT: Nick Oxford/Reuters

The number of people filing for unemployment climbed by another 5.2 million, as the toll of the nation's economic dive continues to mount. In the past four weeks, 22 million have filed claims. Continue Reading 10 Years Of Spectacular U.S. Job Read More

4 Of 5 Workers Are Affected By COVID-19 Worldwide, U.N. Agency Says

By NPR News April 7, 2020

A worker cleans along the Las Vegas Strip, which is nearly empty without the usual crowds as casinos and other businesses are shuttered during the coronavirus outbreak on March 31. John Locher/AP

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a terrible toll on the world's economy, with lockdown measures now affecting the livelihood of almost 2.7 billion workers, according to a new report. Continue Reading 4 Of 5 Workers Are Affected By COVID-19 Read More

Why Insurers May Not Cover Business’ Coronavirus Losses

By NWPB News April 3, 2020

Carlo Lamagna, the owner and chef of Magna Kusina in Portland, Ore., poses for a portrait inside his closed restaurant on Friday, March 27, 2020. Lamagna laid off his entire staff and closed the business following Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s order to halt dine-in eating at restaurants in response to the coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Bryan M. Vance/OPB

As coronavirus pandemic shutters small businesses across the Northwest, business owners are bracing for a wave of insurance denials. That’s because insurers have been telling businesses that coronavirus losses don’t count. Continue Reading Why Insurers Read More

Stimulus Cash Payments May Take Up To 20 Weeks To Reach Some Americans Without Direct Deposit

By NPR News April 2, 2020

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin previously estimated that payments to qualifying Americans would go out by mid-April. CREDIT: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

This time frame is longer than the estimate that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin gave when he negotiated the program for cash payments with congressional leaders. Continue Reading Stimulus Cash Payments May Take Up To Read More

Show Me The Relief Money – No Promises On When Coronavirus Checks Are Coming

By NPR News March 27, 2020

About 90% of households — approximately 165 million — will benefit from direct payments, according to the Tax Policy Center. CREDIT: Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images

Under the plan, single people earning incomes below $75,000 will receive as much as $1,200. The White House says it will issue funds in three weeks but experts say it could take months for some. Continue Reading Show Me The Relief Read More

Governor Says Washington ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order May Be Extended Beyond Initial 2 Weeks

By NWPB News March 27, 2020

On Monday, March 23, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the state and issued a 'stay-at-home' order in a further attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Governor's Office

Gov. Jay Inslee says people should prepare to stay home beyond the initial April 6 order, as officials work to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Continue Reading Governor Says Washington ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order May Be Read More

‘It’s A Difficult Place To Be’: Yakima Construction Firm Preps For Mass Layoff — Just Like 2008

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa March 26, 2020

PaintSmith does business in Yakima (pictured) and Seattle with around 130 employees. Most have been laid off since Washington Gov. Jay Inslee mandated stringent measures to slow coronavirus spread. Courtesy ofPaintSmith does business in Yakima (pictured) and Seattle with around 130 employees. Most have been laid off since Washington Gov. Jay Inslee mandated stringent measures to slow coronavirus spread. Courtesy of PaintSmith Co. PaintSmith Co.

Like many decades-old businesses, Yakima and Seattle-based PaintSmith has had experience with layoffs. After the 2008 recession, the company went from 80 employees to just 10. It taught Smith that his company can survive financial downturns. Read More

Northwest States See Unprecedented Surge In Unemployment Claims

By NWPB News March 26, 2020

File photo. Porter Hahn makes an iced coffee drink in November 2019 in a Seattle coffee shop. U.S. services companies grew at a faster pace in February 2020 than the previous month. Then the coronavirus outbreak in the region shut down much of the service industry. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

Mirroring the national trend, Washington, Idaho and Oregon are experiencing an unprecedented spike in unemployment claims caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading Northwest States See Unprecedented Surge In Unemployment ClaimsRead More