The Issues Dividing America Ahead of the Midterms, Explained
Though the economy may be the focus of November’s congressional elections, other divisive topics -- some new, some perennial -- will also vie for attention from voters. These so-called wedge issues are being fanned mostly by Republicans, who see little downside in taking on polarizing issues that might motivate conservative voters. The Supreme Court, with six of its nine seats filled by conservative justices appointed by Republicans, seems poised to stir things up even further with upcoming deci
washingtonpost.comAs gas prices rise in the US, countries around the world are feeling pain at the pump even more
According to data from globalpetrolprices.com, 46 countries has gas prices that are $6 a gallon or more, 26 have prices that are at least $7 a gallon while nine countries have gas prices that are $8 a gallon or more.
Virginia politicians, Ukrainian citizens react to President Biden’s State of the Union address
Using the worlds stage, President Joe Biden voiced the Unites States’ strong support for the people of Ukraine and tough action that has been and will be taken against Russia during his first State of the Union address.
Here are the best, worst days to travel for the 2021 holiday season
Whether you’ve already booked holiday travel plans, or you’re waiting for the last minute to make sure there aren’t restrictions, there are certain things to keep in mind about which days will be best to travel, and what resources might be more scarce than in years past.
Fed's Powell: There's no returning to pre-pandemic economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday that the U.S. economy has been permanently changed by the COVID pandemic and it is important that the central bank adapt to those changes. “We're not simply going back to the economy that we had before the pandemic,” Powell said at a Fed virtual town hall for educators and students. Powell said that, while it is not yet clear if the delta variant of COVID will have further impact on the economy, the country has already seen significant changes since the pandemic began shutting the country down in March 2020.
news.yahoo.comEconomy grew by 1.6 percent in first quarter, showing signs of boom to come
The U.S. recovery likely found its rhythm in the first three months of 2021, according to early forecasts of data to be released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis this morning. It appears likely all Covid-19-era losses will be recovered by the middle of this year.
washingtonpost.comUK economy ended 2020 better than previously thought
The pandemic has battered the British economy, which has suffered its deepest recession in more than 300 years. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)LONDON – Official figures show that the British economy ended 2020 on a stronger footing than previously thought but that it suffered a bigger than anticipated fall in output in the immediate aftermath of the first coronavirus lockdown. In its latest revisions for 2020 data, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday that the British economy contracted by 19.5% during the second quarter, the first full quarter of lockdown. Overall, the agency said, the British economy ended 2020 9.8% smaller, slightly better than the previous estimate of 9.9%. The U.K. as a whole has had Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, with over 126,000 people having died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Company investing $5M into Alleghany County manufacturer
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. – A local company is expanding to meet a growing demand. The Balchem Corporation is investing $5 million, adding six new jobs to its team in Covington over the next two years. This will double the amount of production for animal nutrition and health markets worldwide. Balchem opened its manufacturing site in Alleghany County in 2013.
Virginia Tech workshop addresses race inequities in food systems head-on
A Virginia Tech workshop is putting the spotlight on racial inequities in our food systems, from who is growing your food to how to access it. The Virginia Tech Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation and R.E.A.L. (Racial Equity in Agriculture Lab) are hosting “Building Racial Equity in the Food System: From Individual Anti-Racism to Dismantling Institutional Systems” Wednesday, March 31. Niewolny is the associate professor of Virginia Tech’s Department of Agriculture Leadership and Community Education as well as the director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. The workshop is building from the Racial Justice in the Food System series the center hosted in summer 2020.
A sigh of relief for the restaurant industry as Northam extends cocktails to-go service
Roanoke, Va. – Cocktails to-go are not leaving anytime soon. Seeing a decline in sales of about 73%, the co-owner of Fortunato, John Powell, feels the hard hit of the coronavirus pandemic. Known for their fancy dining, cocktails to-go helps keep Fortunato and Powell’s other restaurant, Lucky, afloat. Just like the downtown Roanoke taco restaurant, Tuco’s Taqueria Garaje. JoJo Soprano with Tuco’s Taqueria Garaje said 60% of their business comes from to-go sales.
U.S. economy is 'on the brink' of a complete recovery, says Richmond Fed's Barkin
Pedestrians walk outside the New York Stock Exchange in the U.S. The U.S. economy is recovering from the Covid-19 recession, but some economic "scarring" may take a long time to heal, said Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Thomas Barkin. Economic scarring refers to damage left behind by crises that will suppress growth prospects over the medium or long term. "I'm hopeful we're on the brink of completing this recovery," Barkin said Monday at the Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference that's being held virtually this year. The U.S. economy contracted by 3.5% in 2020 compared to a year ago, estimated the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
cnbc.comMoney shot: Businesses, sportsbooks benefit from NCAA Tournament
ROANOKE, Va. – It’s officially tournament time, and Virginians have the chance to watch the college basketball tournament in a different way this year. This is the first year Virginians can place bets on the tournament on sportsbooks such as DraftKings. “Virginia residents can now do what Nevada residents have been doing for fifty years,” said Johnny Avello of DraftKings. We made the odds and put up the offerings, and now it’s game time.”Avello said tourney time is the busiest time of year for sportsbooks, even more so than the Super Bowl. “The Super Bowl would be the biggest one-day event, but since this tournament expands over the course of 10 days, it’s the biggest, and certainly the most exciting,” Avello said.
Danville proposes budget with no tax increases due to future casino
DANVILLE, Va. – Danville’s Caesars Entertainment Complex is still years away from opening, but the voters’ bet on the casino is already paying off. The city’s proposed budget has funding for various improvements but without the need for a tax increase. Neither one is popular,” said Danville city manager Ken Larking. The budget also includes $2.4 million to build an updated running track at George Washington High School. The budget still has to be approved by the city council, which has to happen by the end of June.
Pandemic prompts state to offer break on overdue traffic fines and other fees for low-income residents
Lightfoot’s plan created a six-month payment plan that reduces required down payments and gives those with ticket debt more time to pay. The plan also allowed people to request a 24-hour extension to pay their fines in full or get on a payment plan after their vehicles are locked with a Denver boot, though the plan does not ban use of the controversial device that has been the bane of many motorists’ existence.
chicagotribune.comWithout stimulus, employment might not reach pre-pandemic level until 2024
Without stimulus, employment might not reach pre-pandemic level until 2024 New analysis from the Congressional Budget Office predicts the U.S. economy will return to its pre-pandemic peak in the middle of 2021, but the number of people employed won't return to previous levels until 2024. Maya MacGuineas, the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" host Elaine Quijano to discuss what she thinks the federal government should do to aid the economy.
cbsnews.comU.S. GDP booms at 33.1% rate in Q3, better than expected
The gain came after a 31.4% plunge in the second quarter and was better than the 32% estimate from economists surveyed by Dow Jones. "It's obviously good news that the economy bounced back in the third quarter," said Eric Winograd, senior economist at AllianceBernstein. "There's still a lot of work to do here and the pace of improvement ... is going to slow. That is part of the reason that the pace of growth is going to slow from here." The economy has been in a technical recession since February, as first-quarter growth declined at a 5% pace.
cnbc.comIMF revises its global GDP forecast higher, but warns the economy 'remains prone to setbacks'
The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday turned slightly more positive on the global economy for this year, but warned of a "long, uneven and uncertain" recovery. The global economy is now projected to contract by 4.4% in 2020 — an upward revision from an estimate of -4.9% made in June. The IMF's projection assumes that social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic will continue into 2021, and that local transmission will fall everywhere by the end of 2022. However, it warned that the coronavirus crisis is far from over. The IMF projected "only limited progress" going forward and cut its GDP (gross domestic product) growth expectations for next year to 5.2%, from an estimate of 5.4% made in June.
cnbc.comHow China could use this moment to charge ahead with its geopolitical agenda
China, the world's second largest economy, is under threat as the pandemic wipes out jobs and slows productivity and growth. But even with the economic setback, that's not stopping Beijing from doubling down on its geopolitical agenda. China could be using diplomatic outreach, while skirting any responsibility for the crisis, as a way to move forward with its geopolitical plans, Economy said. I think the Trump administration will be looking to China to buy American, to fulfill the promises that it made," she said. In the meantime, the People's Republic of China has rolled out significant measures to offset the economic impact of the pandemic.
cnbc.comThe economy is improving, so why are Americans feeling so down?
The economy is improving, so why are Americans feeling so down? Steady job-creation this year has failed to quell people's anxiety about their financial prospects and the broader direction of the economy. CBS News' Lauren Lyster reports.
cbsnews.comWill the economy change much during the year's second half?
Will the economy change much during the year's second half? The economy contracted nearly three percent during the first quarter of the year. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger explains what to expect in the second half of the year.
cbsnews.comU.S. economy shrinks for first time in three years
U.S. economy shrinks for first time in three years The harsh weather this past winter is getting much of the blame for a slowdown in the economy, but most economists believe it sets the economy up for a strong rebound this quarter. Anthony Mason reports.
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