Stocks fall as investors fret over jobless claims, inflation
Bond yields continue to climb, as murmurs of inflation have started among investors and as the economy continues to climb out of the hole that was created by the pandemic.
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Texas power outages below 500,000, but water woes persist
Authorities ordered 7 million people—a quarter of the population of the nation’s second-largest state—to boil tap water before drinking it, following record low temperatures that damaged infrastructure and pipes.
Experts: Gulf freeze may boost gas prices, but only briefly
A deep freeze in the Gulf state region and beyond that killed dozens of people, left millions without power and jeopardized drinking water systems also forced as many as 11 refineries offline, according to travel app GasBuddy.
Colts pick up QB Carson Wentz from Eagles for draft picks
Wentz finished third in NFL MVP voting in 2017 when he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record before a knee injury ended his season. But he just wrapped up the worst season of his five-year career.
Walmart sales still surging, but a chill may be on the way
Walmart has pushed hard into fast and convenient delivery during the pandemic. But even the massive infrastructure put into place by Walmart in recent years was strained by the crush of orders from millions of people sheltering at home.
U.S. jobless claims rise to 861,000 as layoffs stay high
The figures underscore that the job market has stalled, with employers having added a mere 49,000 jobs in January after cutting workers in December.
Lawmakers facing off with GameStop saga’s key players
The episode has been portrayed as a victory of the little guy over Wall Street titans, but not everyone is buying it. Lawmakers from both parties are among the skeptics.
U.S life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII
Minorities suffered the biggest impact, with Black Americans losing nearly three years and Hispanics nearly two years, according to preliminary estimates Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network debuts January 2022
Magnolia Network, which replaces the DIY Network, will feature original shows, new seasons of some DIY series and all past episodes of the home renovation show “Fixer Upper,” which first aired on HGTV in 2013 and proved the start of a brand that’s undergoing major expansion.
U.S. retail sales jump 5.3%, thanks to $600 stimulus checks
After three months of declines, retail sales soared in January from the month before, the U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday, far exceeding expectations.
Indiana lawmakers weigh bills aimed at prosecutors, riot penalties
The endorsed proposal ensures Indiana prosecutors can’t create lists of crimes they won’t prosecute, said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Young.
Monday night fire kills 100 animals at pet store
Crews discovered “what can only be described as a horrible tragedy” after thick smoke and poisonous gases filled the pet store on the northwest side, a fire department spokesperson said.
Federal ban on housing foreclosures extended until June 30
The moratorium on foreclosures of federally guaranteed mortgages had been set to expire on March 31. Census Bureau figures show that almost 12% of homeowners with mortgages were late on their payments.
Vaccine delays leave grocery workers feeling expendable
A decentralized vaccine campaign has resulted in patchwork of policies that differ from state to state, and even county to county in some areas, resulting in an inconsistent rollout to low-paid essential workers who are exposed to hundreds of customers each day.
COVID-19 shots might be tweaked if variants get worse
The good news: Many of the new COVID-19 vaccines are made with new, flexible technology that’s easy to upgrade. What’s harder: Deciding if the virus has mutated enough that it’s time to modify vaccines—and what changes to make.
Andretti, Jourdain team up to run in Mexican racing series
The former CART rivals see an opportunity to attract young Mexican talent to racing and put IndyCar back in Mexico.
Activists fear Biden’s commitment to higher minimum wage
The president has seemingly undermined the push to raise the minimum wage by acknowledging its dim prospects in Congress, where it faces political opposition and procedural hurdles.
Virus might never go away but could change into mild annoyance
If humans must learn to live with COVID-19, the nature of that coexistence depends not just on how long immunity lasts, but also how the virus evolves.
Obamacare sign-ups reopen as Democrats push for more aid
HealthCare.gov’s market for subsidized health plans reopens Monday for a special three-month sign-up window as the Democratic-led Congress seeks a boost in financial help that could cut premiums by double digits.
Business owners ponder whether to require COVID-19 shots
Employers can require many staffers to be vaccinated under guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.