7 essential things to know before you file your 2020 tax return

The coronavirus pandemic triggered many changes in the U.S. economy and the employment landscape. Here are things to know before you file your tax returns.

Booker, Pressley renew push for 'baby bonds' in bid to narrow wealth gap

The government would provide every American child with a $1,000 savings account and would give an additional $2,000 every year depending on income.

Employers added 49K jobs last month as US unemployment fell to 6.3%

U.S employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, a sign that that the viral pandemic retains a tight grip on the economy nearly a year after it triggered a painful recession.

Jobless claims fall to 779,000; layoffs grind on

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell to 779,000 last week, a historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people are still losing jobs to the viral pandemic.

Democrats urge Biden to cancel up to $50k in student loan debt by executive action

The resolution called on President Biden to take executive action to "administratively cancel up to $50,000 in Federal student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers" using "existing legal authorities" under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

'I am optimistic now': Post-pandemic hiring could rebound quickly

A hopeful view is gaining steam that as vaccinations reach a critical mass, perhaps around midyear, and the government provides further stimulus, the economy and the job market will strengthen much faster than they did after previous recessions.

Democrats move forward with Biden's COVID-19 relief bill

President Joe Biden told Senate Democrats on a private call Tuesday that a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan is insufficient as he urged lawmakers to boldly and swiftly confront the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis.

Some Redditors call #silversqueeze campaign a 'trap,' claim hedge funds behind surge

The rush into silver futures Monday created confusion amid Wall Street chaos, with some retail traders on Reddit calling the surge in commodity prices a “false flag.”

Idaho father wins lottery -- for the sixth time

A father in Idaho has won the lottery -- for the sixth time! His latest haul: $250,000. He says he plans to use the winnings for his daughter's education.

UA research: Arizona economy recovering with big variances

The Phoenix area “is completely responsible for the state’s job growth since June” while the other metropolitan areas have generated little or no job growth, researchers said.

Biden warns of growing ‘cost of inaction’ on $1.9T COVID-19 relief plan

The White House says the Biden administration is searching for “creative” ways to garner public support for the COVID relief package that has gotten a cold shoulder from Senate Republicans.

Robinhood tells customers it will allow ‘limited buys’ amid GameStop, AMC trading frenzy

Robinhood, the online trading platform at the center of a speculative frenzy involving shares of GameStop, AMC and other flailing companies, told its customers Thursday that it would be allowing “limited buys” of these companies starting Friday.

GameStop stock price frenzy: What to know

Trading volume has surged in shares of GameStop, AMC Entertainment, as well as Bed Bath & Beyond and BlackBerry, stunning Wall Street firms betting that those stocks would fall.

Lowe's announces another $80M in employee bonuses, will hire more than 50,000 workers

Lowe's announced that it will reward all of its full-time hourly employees with $300 bonuses for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, while part-time employees will get $150. The company also plans to hire 50,000 more workers for the spring.

US economy shrank 3.5% in last year after growing 4% last quarter

Stuck in the grip of a viral pandemic, the U.S. economy grew at a 4% annual rate in the final three months of 2020 and shrank last year by the largest amount in 74 years.

Unemployment claims drop; still at 847,000 as pandemic rages on

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a historically high 847,000 last week, a sign that layoffs remain high as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage.