The government’s $349 billion small business lending program was designed to keep merchants afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. But critics say the structure of the […]
Author: Troy S. Mason
Want a mask contract or some ventilators? A White House connection helps
Winners and losers While White House officials say the disaster response has been apolitical, the actions they have taken and the words Trump and other […]
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson to step down
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson is stepping down from the company, just days after the telecom operator reported it lost 3.42 million video subscribers in 2019. […]
Facing furor, Ruth’s Chris high-end steak chain returns $20M small-business loan
Ruth’s Chris Steak House will return the $20 million coronavirus small-business loan it procured from the government’s $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program, the company announced […]
Gilead stock falls after disappointing early trial results for highly anticipated coronavirus treatment
Stock trading was briefly halted Thursday for California-based Gilead Sciences, after a draft report said the company’s experimental coronavirus treatment disappointed in a recent drug […]
L.A. groups rally to give street vendors, shut down during coronavirus, a much-needed lifeline
In order to identify those who are most in need, three street vendor leaders formed a coalition called Vendedores en Acción (Vendors in Action). They […]
U.S. jobless claims reach 26 million since coronavirus hit, wiping out all gains since 2008 recession
Another 4.4 million Americans filed for initial jobless claims last week, revealing that at least 26 million people have requested unemployment benefits since the outbreak […]
Americans buying more alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic, but craft brewers are struggling
Alcohol beverage industry analyst Bump Williams said store sales are up because customers are stocking up on economy-size cases from the biggest brands, such as […]
Sens. Gillibrand, Bennet propose ‘Health Force’ bill to put more Americans into careers fighting coronavirus
In the United States’ effort to stomp out the spread of the coronavirus, two Democratic senators are taking a cue from a national program launched […]
‘Tiger King’ keeps streaming services roaring as lockdowns continue
With no new releases in cinemas, no Broadway shows, no new TV production, and no live sports on TV, shelter-in-place directives across the globe have […]
Will oil’s price slump be worse for the economy than the effects of the coronavirus?
The prospect of cheaper gas at a time when most Americans are holed up at home is not much of a silver lining to the […]
How the coronavirus will change hotel stays
A hotel stay that doesn’t include a breakfast buffet, in-room minibar and a coffee station would have been inconceivable to many Americans three months ago. […]
Chipotle agrees to pay $25 million penalty for 2015-18 norovirus outbreaks
Popular fast casual restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill agreed to pay a $25 million criminal fine stemming from norovirus outbreaks that sickened customers from 2015 to […]
U.S. officials say Kim Jong Un of North Korea may be ill after surgery, but South Korea casts doubt
The South Korean government cast doubt Tuesday on rumors that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was gravely ill, but U.S. officials said he may […]
‘This is a great time to buy oil,’ Trump says as prices plunge into negative territory
After a tumultuous day that saw oil futures falling into negative territory, President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. could either purchase roughly 75 million barrels […]