Pandemic vices are putting more consumers in debt: 'It's 100% instant gratification'

Alcohol, cigarettes, adult entertainment and lottery tickets are just some of the items 70% of Americans are splurging on during the pandemic, a new survey from financial services company MagnifyMoney suggests.

Employers added 49K jobs last month as US unemployment fell to 6.3%

U.S employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, a sign that that the viral pandemic retains a tight grip on the economy nearly a year after it triggered a painful recession.

Democrats urge Biden to cancel up to $50k in student loan debt by executive action

The resolution called on President Biden to take executive action to "administratively cancel up to $50,000 in Federal student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers" using "existing legal authorities" under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Democrats move forward with Biden's COVID-19 relief bill

President Joe Biden told Senate Democrats on a private call Tuesday that a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan is insufficient as he urged lawmakers to boldly and swiftly confront the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis.

GameStop stock price frenzy: What to know

Trading volume has surged in shares of GameStop, AMC Entertainment, as well as Bed Bath & Beyond and BlackBerry, stunning Wall Street firms betting that those stocks would fall.

Unemployment claims fall to a still-high 900,000

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, lowering claims to 900,000, still a historically high level that points to further job cuts in a raging pandemic.

Gas tax hike part of House Democrats’ transportation plan

Democratic leaders in the Washington state House on Tuesday unveiled a 16-year, $25.8 billion transportation package that includes an 18-cent increase in the gas tax and a new fee on carbon emissions.

'American Rescue Plan': Here's what's in Biden's COVID-19 relief plan

President-elect Joe Biden is proposing a $1.9 trillion plan to expand coronavirus vaccinations, help individuals and jump-start the economy.

$15 an hour minimum wage: Biden pushes for urgent increase amid COVID-19 pandemic

During his announcement of the “American Rescue Plan,” President-elect Joe Biden pushed for the minimum wage in the United States to be raised to at least $15 an hour.

Jobless claims jump to 965,000 as COVID-19 pandemic takes toll

The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and evidence that the resurgent virus has caused a spike in layoffs.

$750M: Mega Millions jackpot rises to its 2nd highest ever; Powerball drawing Wednesday

The Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries each draw new numbers twice a week at 11 p.m. ET. Powerball numbers are drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays while Mega Millions numbers are chosen on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Schumer pledges quick delivery of $2,000 stimulus checks: 'We will get that done'

Senate Democrats plan to make another coronavirus relief package — including sending an additional stimulus payment to many Americans — one of their top priorities for the year once they assume control of the chamber.

Biden plans to extend student loan payment pause ‘on day one,’ supports forgiving $10K in debt

President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team said he plans to extend a suspension of student loan payments due to financial hardships posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on “day one,” and he also favors forgiving $10,000 in student loan debt.

US lost 140,000 jobs in December; first monthly loss since spring

U.S. employers shed jobs last month for the first time since April, cutting 140,000 positions, clear evidence that the economy is faltering as the viral pandemic tightens its grip on consumers and businesses.