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Economy

How Retail Workers Are Faring And How To Support Small Business During The Epidemic

9:54pm March 27, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

NPR's business correspondent answers listener questions about economic sectors that are booming, working in retail and supporting small businesses in the middle of the coronavirus emergency.

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A woman wearing gloves pays for her purchase at a supermarket in Los Angeles. Bank regulators are urging consumers not to hoard cash, after reports of large withdrawals by some customers worried about the coronavirus.

Economy

Don't Dash For Cash: Authorities Say There's No Need To Empty The ATM

8:09pm March 26, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Regulators urge consumers not to drain their bank accounts, after reports of large withdrawals by some customers worried about the coronavirus. The FDIC reminds us the accounts are insured.

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Economy

What To Do If You Lose Your Job Due To The Coronavirus Outbreak

4:22pm March 26, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Millions of Americans are losing their jobs or regular levels of income as stores and businesses close across the country. Here's what's most important to do if this happens to you.

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A "closed" sign is posted at the entrance of a New York State Department of Labor office in Brooklyn. With millions of people filing for unemployment benefits, state employment agencies have been overwhelmed around the country.

Economy

Advice On Filing For Unemployment Benefits: Document Everything And Be Persistent

3:08pm March 26, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

The number of jobless claims hit an all-time record, with 3.3 million claims in the last week alone. With so many people filing, there are glitches. Experts offer suggestions on how to get through.

What Happened Today: Listener Questions About The Economic Relief Bill, More

9:30pm March 25, 2020

NPR economics and science correspondents answer listener questions about what the federal government is doing. Are the latest measures working? What is happening with the economic relief bill?

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The attorneys general said some sellers on Craigslist and Facebook are jacking up prices on hand sanitizer by as much as 10 times the normal cost.

'Stop Price Gouging,' 33 Attorneys General Tell Amazon, Walmart, Others

6:15pm March 25, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

The top state law enforcement officials also told Craigslist, eBay and Facebook that they have "an ethical obligation" to root out spiking prices on hand sanitizers and other high-demand products.

The Sheetz gas and convenience store chain is boosting its workers' pay by $3 per hour, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Its stores are among the businesses deemed essential during government-ordered shutdowns.

Sheetz Convenience Store Chain Gives Workers $3 Hourly Raise

3:30pm March 25, 2020

by Bill Chappell

It's one of the most aggressive moves yet by companies that are boosting pay to retain, attract and motivate employees.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos also announced the Department of Education would refund about $1.8 billion to the more than 830,000 borrowers who were in the process of having money withheld.

Education Dept. Will Stop Collections On Student Borrowers In Default

2:29pm March 25, 2020

by Elissa Nadworny

Those who have defaulted on their federal student loans will get a temporary reprieve from having their wages, Social Security benefits and tax refunds garnished by the federal government.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky walks to the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

White House, Senate Agree To $2 Trillion Coronavirus Rescue Package

9:02am March 25, 2020

by Scott Neuman

The deal means Congress could be close to passing a deal, and it comes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Republicans and Democrats had closed the gap on their differences.

Economists say helping the health care sector, including through emergency financing to states and cities, is one of the steps urgently needed to weather the coronavirus crisis.

How To Avert Economic Catastrophe: Ideas From 5 Top Economists

6:52pm March 24, 2020

by Uri Berliner

Avoid layoffs at any cost. Set up emergency financing for states and cities to help health systems. Cut regulations to speed medical response. Those are some recommendations from leading economists.