Economy

A four-week shutdown on indoor service at restaurants and bars prompted by an alarming statewide spike in COVID-19 cases is expected to cost the industry some $800 million.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday announced $135 million in grants, loans and other assistance to help businesses and workers hurt by new restrictions he imposed through mid-December.

Some of the first workers to lose jobs in the pandemic are getting laid off again in the “freeze.”

Bar owners who had planned to illegally serve cocktails-to-go have cancelled their plans in the hope of getting a legal solution through Oregon's special session.

If Gov. Kate Brown declares a catastrophic emergency due to the coronavirus, lawmakers could likely convene the only remote session in state history.

Economists say Oregon's economy is stable and will continue to grow slowly. But lawmakers differ on near-term steps to help those most impacted by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington Republicans say the Legislature should immediately meet in special session to address the economic fallout from Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest COVID-19 orders – and even consider tapping the state’s “rainy day” fund.

The move is meant to bolster the trust fund used to pay unemployment benefits.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000, the fourth straight drop and a sign that the job market is slowly healing.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the head of the European Union’s executive arm have agreed to stay in contact as their negotiating teams step up efforts to conclude a post-Brexit trade deal between the U.K. and the European Union before time runs out