Economy

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Freelancers, gig workers can begin filing unemployment claims

Employees like freelancers and the self-employed can now file for an unemployment claim in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Labor said Tuesday, under the CARES Act, the coronavirus response bill passed by Congress and signed by the president last week. The Alabama Department of Labor is encouraging employees who believe they may qualify for programs … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 31, 2020

More than 70,000 people filed unemployment claims in Alabama last week

More than 70,000 people filed a jobless claim to receive unemployment compensation last week, the Alabama Department of Labor says. That number is about eight-times the number of claims filed the week before when layoffs began hitting the state. Alabama Department of Labor spokesperson Tara Hutchison said Monday that some 74,056 people filed an initial … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 30, 2020

UAH researchers and the world’s fastest supercomputer join the fight against the COVID-19 virus

More and more of Alabama’s brainpower is being redirected into fighting the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Dr. Jerome Baudry is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Dr. Baudry and his lab are involved in a project that is using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Summit … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 30, 2020

Alabama Credit Unions announce policy on coronavirus

The Alabama Credit Association says that Alabama’s credit unions have been working diligently to meet the financial needs of the states’ families and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. “On behalf of our credit union members, we want to share the following important information with you,” the Alabama Credit Union Association said in a statement. The … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 30, 2020

Alabama jobless claims soar past 40,000 this week, breaking records

More than 40,000 people filed a jobless claim to receive unemployment compensation in the first four days of this week, the Alabama Department of Labor says, more than quadrupling the number of claims filed last week when layoffs began hitting the state. Alabama Department of Labor spokesperson, Tara Hutchison, said Thursday that 40,628 people filed … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 26, 2020

Virtual tip jars helping service industry workers amid COVID-19 closures

Communities are coming together to provide some relief to service industry workers who are unable to work due to restaurant and bar closures during the COVID-19 outbreak. Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey issued statewide shutdowns of all dine-in restaurants and bars in an attempt to increase social distancing as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to grow … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

March 26, 2020

Simpson tells Mobilians: “My top priority remains your health and safety”

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said Monday that Mobile had its third confirmed case of COVID-19. “Tonight we had our third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mobile County,’” Stimpson said. “My top priority remains your health and safety, and my team is fully engaged in the effort to protect you from this threat to our community.” … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 25, 2020

The White House and Senate reach deal on a stimulus

Early Wednesday morning, the White House and Senate leaders finally reached a deal on a massive stimulus package they are hoping can keep the American economy from falling into a deep recession due to the government-imposed economic shutdown to deal with the growing coronavirus threat. The final version of the Senate bill comes with a … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 25, 2020

Economic downturn sees uptick in possible sex trafficking recruitment

Tuesday, the Child Trafficking Solutions Project and the Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County issued a statement warning that there is a noticeable increase in Craigslist postings for possible human trafficking purposes due to the coronavirus economic impact. “If you see any such postings on Craigslist or any social media sites, please screen shot and … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 25, 2020

Hightower participates in White House small business assistance call

Late Friday afternoon, former state Senator and First congressional district candidate Bill Hightower (R-Mobile) participated in a call with President Donald J. Trump (R), Labor Secretary Scalia, and Larry Kudlow of the National Economic Council of Advisors to discuss the Trump Administration’s efforts to support small businesses during the government ordered economic shutdown to prevent … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 25, 2020