Budget deficit to hit record $3.3T, putting US debt on track to exceed GDP next year

The federal budget deficit is projected to hit a record $3.3 trillion as huge government expenditures to fight the coronavirus and to prop up the economy have added more than $2 trillion to the federal ledger.

Business owners tap into savings to withstand pandemic

Many business owners are tapping the money they socked into personal savings and retirement accounts to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

United plans to furlough 16,000 workers, fewer than expected

United Airlines said Wednesday it plans to furlough 16,370 employees in October, down from an earlier target of 36,000 after thousands of workers took early retirement, buyouts, or long-term leaves of absence with the industry facing a slow recovery from the pandemic.

Coronavirus pandemic brings hard times for farmers, worsening hunger

The coronavirus pandemic has brought hard times for many farmers and has imperiled food security for many millions both in the cities and the countryside.

In college towns, smaller businesses struggle without students

Small business owners in college towns across the U.S. are hoping for the best when students return — and bracing for the worst.

More than 1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits

Just over 1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that the coronavirus outbreak continues to threaten jobs even as the housing market, auto sales and other segments of the economy rebound from a springtime collapse.

Could Americans still receive a second stimulus check? Everything we know

With White House officials and top Democrats at a weeks-long impasse over another coronavirus relief package, Senate Republicans are preparing to unveil their own new proposal — a pared-down version of a previous bill that notably does not include a fresh round of stimulus checks.

US unemployment claims jump back above 1 million in face of coronavirus

The coronavirus recession struck swiftly and violently. Now, with the economy still in the grip of the pandemic five months later, the recovery looks fitful and uneven — and painfully slow.

Rise in jobless claims reflects a U.S. economy struggling to recover

The number of workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose back above 1 million last week after two weeks of declines. 

Amazon to add 3,500 jobs within these US tech hubs

Amazon Inc. announced plans Tuesday to expand operations and add thousands of jobs within six major U.S. tech hubs across the country.

Domino's to hire more than 20,000 workers in US

Domino's announced Monday that it will hire more than 20,000 employees nationwide for positions including delivery drivers, pizza makers, customer service representatives, managers and assistant managers.

US retail sales rise for 3rd month amid COVID-19 pandemic but slowdown expected

The gains of the past three months have now restored retail purchases to their levels before they plunged in March and April when the pandemic shuttered businesses and paralyzed the economy.

NY unemployment system prepared for surge

New York’s labor commissioner says the state is ready to rapidly ramp up its unemployment system again in case the pandemic surges and the economy must shutter once again.

US budget deficit climbs to record $2.81 trillion

The Treasury Department says the U.S. budget deficit climbed to $2.81 trillion in the first 10 months of the budget year.

Consumer prices in the US rose 0.6% in July, matching June uptick

The uptick was about twice what economists expected. But inflation remains in check: Consumer prices are up just 1% over the past year.

Summer jobs for young people are vanishing amid the COVID-19 pandemic

The iconic summer job for high school and college students has been on the wane for nearly 20 years. But the pandemic is squeezing even more young people out of the workforce.

Will Americans get a second $1,200 stimulus check? What we know

The fate of a second stimulus check was thrown into uncertainty last week when White House officials and Democratic leaders missed a self-imposed deadline to cut a deal on another round of emergency coronavirus aid.