ECONOMY

People who lost their jobs wait in line to file for unemployment benefits at an Arkansas Workforce Center in Fayetteville, Ark., on April 6.

10 Years Of Spectacular U.S. Job Growth Nearly Wiped Out In 4 Weeks

9:56am April 16, 2020

The number of people filing for unemployment climbed by another 5.2 million, as the toll of the nation's economic dive continues to mount. In the past four weeks, 22 million have filed claims.

Economy

Over 22 Million File For Unemployment In 4 Weeks

9:24am April 16, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Ten years of U.S. job growth has been almost wiped out in 4 weeks. Another 5.24 million people filed for unemployment last week. It brings the total from the past four weeks to 22.03 million.

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Paying Pandemic Bills Requires Changes In Wealth Gap, Dalio Says

9:21am April 16, 2020

NPR's Noel King Talks to Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, about how the economy might change in a post-pandemic world.

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News Brief: Reopening States, Jobless Claims, India's COVID-19 Crisis

6:57am April 16, 2020

President Trump will give guidance to governors on reopening states. First-time claims for jobless benefits will be announced. And in India, fears contact-tracing has crossed into discrimination.

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Economy

What Happened Today: Economic Recovery News And Advice

9:24pm April 15, 2020

by Scott Horsley

NPR's chief economics correspondent takes listener questions about the state of the economy and economic relief measures during the pandemic.

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Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), seen at the U.S. Capitol last month, where he spoke about a stimulus bill intended to combat the economic effects of the coronavirus.

S.C. Senator Says Getting COVID-19 Information To African Americans Will 'Save Lives'

6:25pm April 15, 2020

by Rachel Martin

The coronavirus is hitting African Americans especially hard. Republican Sen. Tim Scott says the federal government is trying to keep black communities informed.

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Coronavirus Updates: Retail Numbers, WHO Scrambling After Funding Cut

6:18pm April 15, 2020

NPR economic, science and diplomatic reporters recap the latest developments in the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

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Direct-deposit economic relief money is expected to be weeks ahead of physical checks.

Report: Adding Trump's Name To Checks Will Delay Them. IRS Says They're On Schedule

4:27pm April 15, 2020

by Danielle Kurtzleben

The IRS said the economic relief payments "are going out on schedule, as planned, without delay." The Washington Post reported that Trump's name would be included on the checks, an unprecedented step.

Retail sales plunged a record 8.7% last month as the coronavirus pandemic shut down economic activity around the country.

Economy

Retail Spending Just Fell Off A Cliff

2:04pm April 15, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Americans are still spending a fair amount on food and online deliveries, but the shutdowns of stores, malls and restaurants led to a record 8.7% sales drop in March.

The IRS has a new online tool for those who haven't already supplied their bank information.

Want Relief Money Sooner? Give The IRS Your Bank Account Number

1:07pm April 15, 2020

by Scott Horsley

The Treasury has begun sending $1,200 relief payments to people economically affected by the coronavirus. The IRS set up a website for those who haven't already supplied their bank information.