U.S. employers scale back hiring as pandemic intensifies
America’s employers added 245,000 jobs in November, the fewest since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown, the Labor Department said Friday.
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Vaccines offer hope for end to pandemic, but experts say brutal months lie ahead
It is impossible to know when life will get back to normal, or something that feels close to it. The vaccine rollout will take many months under even the most optimistic scenarios.
Jobs report to show how much pandemic is squeezing hiring
Friday’s monthly U.S. jobs report will help answer a key question overhanging the economy: Just how much damage is being caused by the resurgent coronavirus, the resulting curbs on businesses and the reluctance of consumers to shop, travel and dine out?
Americans couldn’t resist Thanksgiving travel, data analysis shows
A week after Thanksgiving. U.S. deaths from the COVID-19 outbreak eclipsed 3,100 on Thursday, obliterating the single-day record set in the spring.
In seismic shift, Warner Bros. Pictures to stream all 2021 films
Among the myriad release plan changes wrought by the pandemic, no studio has so fully embraced streaming as a lifeline.
Southwest warns nearly 7,000 workers of possible furloughs
Southwest Airlines said the workers could lose their jobs unless labor unions accept concessions to help the airline cope with a sharp drop in travel caused by the pandemic.
Pelosi, McConnell discuss COVID relief as pressure builds
With COVID-19 caseloads spiraling and the daily death toll equaling records, the momentum for finally passing a second major relief bill is undeniably building.
Indiana reports 8,527 new COVID-19 cases, 60 more deaths
A total of 454 deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported in Indiana over the past seven days, an average of nearly 65 per day.
Phishing ploy targets COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort
IBM security researchers say they have detected a cyber-espionage effort using targeted phishing emails to try to collect vital information on the World Health Organization’s initiative for distributing COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries.
Jobless claims drop more than expected nationally, but rise in Indiana
Texas, Michigan and Georgia. Illinois, Oregon and Indiana reported the largest increases in filings during the holiday week.
Fed reports slowing U.S. economic activity due to virus surge
The report said that among the sectors doing better were manufacturing, housing construction and existing home sales. But banks said there had been deterioration in their loans, particularly those to retailers and the leisure and hospitality industries.
Indiana gets ready for COVID vaccines, which officials expect within weeks
Two companies are awaiting emergency authorization to distribute vaccines in the United States, following Britain’s action Wednesday to become the first country in the world to approve a vaccine.
Pelosi, Schumer say $908B pandemic relief package should be basis for new talks
The willingness to accept a potential bill totaling less than $1 trillion represents a significant step down for the top Democrats, who had pushed for more than $3 trillion in new aid earlier this year.
Nurses wanted: Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help
U.S. hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are trying to lure nurses and doctors out of retirement, recruiting students and new graduates who have yet to earn their licenses and offering eye-popping salaries in a desperate bid to ease staffing shortages.
Federal Reserve, Treasury urge Congress to approve more virus relief
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a aid bill totaling around $908 billion, raising hopes that the legislative impasse might be broken.
Some 2-week coronavirus quarantines can be cut to 10 or 7 days, CDC says
The move reflects the agency’s recognition that the two-week quarantine rule is onerous for many people and that most of the public health benefit from quarantining people exposed to the virus can be gained with a more flexible approach.
Indiana reports 6,655 new COVID-19 cases, 91 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell slightly, from an all-time high Monday of 3,460 to 3,441 on Tuesday.
Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show called off after 66-year run
Anderson-based Renfro Productions Inc., which produces and manages the show and several related events, said it would bring back the events in 2022.
United Kingdom authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
British media have reported that hospitals in England have been told to get ready to start doing vaccinations for medical workers as early as next week.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales disappoint amid uncertain economic recovery
Fewer Americans shopped during Black Friday weekend, and those who did spent less than they did a year ago. It’s the latest example of how the pandemic has upended consumer habits and created new challenges for retailers.