Want your extra $600? Wisconsin announces date for expanded unemployment benefits

MADISON -- Starting next week, people in Wisconsin can file for the expanded unemployment benefits promised under the CARES Act.On its website, Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development says people who newly qualify for unemployment benefits under the law, such as independent contractors and the self-employed, can begin to file applications the week of April 21.The state will start making payments of an additional $600 per week starting the week of April 26; most people qualify for the additional payments.The CARES Act also expands unemployment benefits by an additional 13 weeks.

US sheds most jobs in a decade, ending record hiring streak

WASHINGTON — A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade, as employers slashed hundreds of thousands of jobs because of the viral outbreak that has all but shut down the U.S. economy.

US sheds 701,000 jobs, ending a record-long hiring streak

WASHINGTON  — A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade as employers cut 701,000 jobs because of the viral outbreak that's all but shut down the U.S. economy.

Wisconsin Republicans support waiving unemployment waiting period

MADISON — Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders said for the first time Wednesday that they support temporarily waiving a one-week waiting period for people to receive unemployment benefits as part of a state aid package in response to the coronavirus pandemic.In a joint news conference, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald criticized Democratic Gov.

1.5M+ calls for unemployment benefits in just a week in Wisconsin 'overloaded the system'

MADISON – More than 115,000 (115,679) new applications for unemployment were filed during the week of March 22 through march 28, officials with the Department of Workforce Development announced Monday, March 30, noting an "unprecedented number of calls (1.5 million-plus) overloaded the system."DWD officials encouraged people to file online HERE, noting that the online application process is faster and easier than applying over the phone.

Merry Clickmas: Black Friday online sales hit record $7.4B

NEW YORK — This year’s Black Friday was the biggest ever for online sales, as fewer people hit the stores and shoppers rang up $7.4 billion in transactions from their phones, computers and tablets.That’s just behind the $7.9 billion haul of last year’s Cyber Monday, which holds the one-day record for online sales, according to Adobe Analytics.

Black Friday frenzy goes global - and not everyone’s happy

PARIS — People don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in France, or Russia, or South Africa - but they do shop on Black Friday.The U.S. sales phenomenon has spread to retailers across the world in recent years with such force that it’s prompting a backlash from some activists, politicians and even consumers.Workers at Amazon in Germany went on strike for better pay on one of the busiest days of the year.

'Thankful to be here:' Deal hunters await Black Friday, pre-sales

WAUWATOSA -- Who needs Black Friday when you can burn off some Thanksgiving calories and the change in your pocket all at once.Shoppers like Nick Triantafelo arrived around 3:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving.

Brookfield Square closed for Thanksgiving, reopening on Black Friday

BROOKFIELD -- Brookfield Square Mall will continue its tradition of remaining closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.

Amazon announces deals, says Black Friday sale starts Nov. 22

Amazon will kick off its Black Friday sale on Friday, Nov. 22, as it offers deals on electronics, TVs, toys, clothing, Amazon devices and more.Deals will run through Nov. 29.

Growing list of retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving 2019, 'designed for people to give thanks'

MILWAUKEE -- Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 28, and many company leaders have announced their plans to close for the holiday.BestBlackFriday.com released a list of national and regional retailers that will be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2019.Meanwhile, BestBlackFriday.com officials found 72% of polled consumers believe stores should be closed on Thanksgiving.Do you agree?

US unemployment rate hits a 50-year low even as hiring slows

WASHINGTON — The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in September, the lowest level in nearly five decades, even though employers appeared to turn more cautious and slowed their hiring.The economy added a modest 136,000 jobs, enough to likely ease worries that an economy weakened by the U.S.-China trade war and tepid global growth might be edging toward a potential recession.

US adds modest 136,000 jobs, lowering unemployment to 3.5%

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy added a modest 136,000 jobs in September, a gain that managed to help lower the unemployment rate to a new five-decade low of 3.5% but also suggested rising caution among employers.The additional hiring and the drop in the jobless rate will likely ease worries that an economy weakened by the U.S.-China trade war and by slower global growth might be edging toward a potential recession.

Average US price of gas spikes 10 cents per gallon

CAMARILLO, Calif. — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline has spiked 10 cents per gallon (3.8 liters) over the past two weeks to $2.73.Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that jump results mostly from a drone attack this month on Saudi Arabia's key oil processing facility.

Wisconsin unemployment rate increases to 3%

MADISON — Wisconsin's unemployment rate is up for the second month in a row.The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that Wisconsin's unemployment rate for July was 3%.