Arizona paid over $500M in unemployment benefits last week

The state of Arizona has paid over half a billion dollars in jobless benefit payments in the past week. This surpassed the prior week of $160 million in payments.

With unemployment benefits boosted, some businesses are finding it hard to get workers to return to work

Restaurants have reopened as Arizona's stay-at-home order expired, but an unintended consequence of the CARES Act is causing headaches for some owners, who may have a problem getting their workers back.

Survey: 55 percent of employees say they work 1-10 extra hours remotely amid COVID-19

A recent survey done by Fishbowl, a employee social networking platform, found that the majority of its respondents said they were are working up to 10 more hours at home than they normally would if they were still working from their offices. 

Democrats push new $3T coronavirus relief bill through House

The Democratic-controlled House is pressing ahead with votes on another massive rescue bill that would pump almost $1 trillion to states and local governments, renew $1,200 cash payments for individuals, and extend a $600 weekly supplemental federal unemployment benefit.

Auto workers' tenuous return a ray of hope in jobs crisis

About 133,000 U.S. workers — just over half of the industry’s workforce before the pandemic — are expected to pour back into auto plants that will open in the coming week, according to estimates by The Associated Press.

Stocks jump on banking M&A talk, coronavirus vaccine progress

U.S. equity markets curbed losses and finished at session highs as financials led on renewed M&A speculation and comments from President Trump signaled the U.S. could have a coronavirus vaccine by year-end.

36 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit

Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak led more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen under certain restrictions.

Gov. DeSantis says he may extend moratorium on evictions, foreclosures through May

A statewide ban on foreclosures and evictions is about to expire in Florida. The governor issued the order in early April as many were left unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic. State lawmakers say the order is set to expire on Sunday.

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.

Some say they're making more money being on unemployment than working

As restaurants and other businesses reopen in Arizona, they will be calling furloughed and laid off workers back as the state begins to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

DES launches Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, but problems persist

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life, officials with the Arizona Department of Economic Security announced on Monday the launch of the state's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

Nasdaq leads charge as more states ease lockdowns

U.S. equity markets gained Monday despite concerns U.S. states are reopening too quickly after an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Asia.