Economy

News Brief: Pandemic Relief, Nashville Blast, EU Vaccinations

5:42am December 28, 2020

President Trump signs into law the coronavirus relief and spending package. Nashville investigators identify the Christmas Day bomber. Plus, the EU launches its first round of COVID-19 vaccinations.

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Economy

San Antonio Food Bank Doubled Service In 2020

8:03am December 26, 2020

by Samantha Balaban

Food banks have seen demand climb dramatically this year. Eric Cooper of the San Antonio Food Bank talks about how additional federal dollars could make a difference to his clients.

Ohio City Temporarily Gets Into The Food Delivery Business

6:57am December 25, 2020

by Annie Wu

Beachwood, Ohio, is among a few municipalities providing free food delivery to city residents. It's the city's version of economic development for its restaurants during the pandemic.

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A protester holds up an eviction-related sign in Washington, D.C. The coronavirus rescue package just passed in Congress sets aside $25 billion for rental assistance and extends a CDC order aimed at preventing evictions.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Could Stave Off Historic Wave Of Evictions

5:08pm December 24, 2020

by Chris Arnold

A rental assistance program in the bill is key for helping millions of struggling renters at risk of losing their homes in the middle of winter as the pandemic rages on.

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It's Hoped Relief Bill Will Prevent Nightmarish Wave Of Evictions

5:57am December 24, 2020

by Chris Arnold

The coronavirus relief package passed by Congress on Monday provides $25 billion in rental assistance to tenants at risk of eviction. Will it arrive in time to prevent mass evictions this winter?

How COVID-19 Became A 'Tremendous Windfall' For The Ultra Rich

1:21pm December 23, 2020

by Terry Gross

"You have a group of 650 people whose wealth has gone up a trillion dollars since mid-March," says Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies. He recommends taxing a portion of those gains.

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A Greyhound bus driver wears a protective mask and gloves as he prepares to depart a station in San Antonio, Texas, on March 30. Bus companies are struggling amid the pandemic, cutting off travel options for lower-income Americans.

Wheels Come Off For Bus Companies, Closing Down Travel Options For Poorer Americans

12:00pm December 23, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Demand for bus travel has dropped sharply during the pandemic, jeopardizing an industry that ordinarily serves many lower-income travelers.

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Is New Relief Bill Enough To Help Americans In The Pandemic?

4:23pm December 22, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, about whether the latest relief package will be enough to protect Americans.

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More than 10 million people in the U.S. are out of jobs, and the hardest-hit industries are also some of the lowest paying, including retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism.

'My Bank Account Has $4': Pandemic Has Left Millions Of Livelihoods In Limbo

4:00pm December 22, 2020

Lilli Rayne's dog-walking business was taking off and she was finally preparing to buy a house. Then the pandemic struck. She's among the millions of Americans struggling to stay afloat right now.

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Congress Passes $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill. Is It Enough?

7:18am December 22, 2020

The measure affects millions of Americans. Among other things, it extends additional unemployment benefits of $300 a week through early Spring. Many economists believe additional aid will be needed.

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