Business

Congress Nears Deal On Another Round Of Pandemic Relief

11:37am December 18, 2020

by Scott Horsley

The final details of a new coronavirus relief deal are still being ironed out, but the package is likely to include direct payments for many Americans and short-term help for the unemployed.

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Millions In Need Of Eviction Protection As Pandemic Rages On

11:37am December 18, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Millions of Americans could be facing eviction in the next few weeks if Congress doesn't pass a COVID-19 relief bill in the coming days.

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The History Of Scabby The Rat

6:14am December 18, 2020

by Amanda Aronczyk

A longtime symbol of labor protests, Scabby the Rat, can be seen outside stories, factories or other places where unions don't like hiring practices. But these days, Scabby is in the courts, too.

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A COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna is next in line with the Food and Drug Administration for possible authorization for emergency use during the pandemic.

Health & Safety

FDA Panel Recommends Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine For Emergency Use

8:03pm December 17, 2020

by Scott Hensley

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 20-0 to recommend that the agency authorize Moderna's vaccine for emergency use during the pandemic. There was a single abstention.

Tufts employee Gabe Ryan removes the Sackler family name from a building at Tufts University, the first major university to strip the Sackler name from buildings and programs.

Sacklers Deny Wrongdoing During House Panel Over Purdue Pharma Oxycontin Sales

2:33pm December 17, 2020

by Brian Mann

Thursday's hearing was the first time members of the Sackler family faced a public accounting for their alleged role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

Cornwall's Tavern's owners Pam and John Beal are in survival mode. They're hoping a short-term pause in business as COVID-19 infections surge, will allow them to reopen stronger by the end of January.

National

'Not A Lot To Celebrate' For Boston Restaurant Trying To Survive The Pandemic

1:52pm December 17, 2020

by Tovia Smith

Instead of banning indoor dining due to COVID-19, Massachusetts is squeezing restaurants with ever-tightening restrictions. Cornwall's Tavern is one of many opting to close for a short while instead.

Former Google researcher Timnit Gebru says she was unexpectedly fired after a dispute over an academic paper and months of speaking out about the need for more women and people of color at the tech giant.

National

Google AI Team Demands Ousted Black Researcher Be Rehired And Promoted

11:45am December 17, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

The tech giant's researchers say the dismissal of renowned researcher Timnit Gebru has "had a demoralizing effect" on one of the most prestigious units in the company.

Illinois Couple Re-Creates Restaurant Dining Experience

8:03am December 17, 2020

They turned their van into a mini dining room, complete with a checkered tablecloth and string lights. They can roll up to a restaurant parking lot and have meals delivered to the back of the van.

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How Close Are Lawmakers To Approving More Relief For The Economy?

7:31am December 17, 2020

NPR's Rachel Martin talks with Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips and GOP Rep. Dusty Johnson, members of the bipartisan group Problem Solvers Caucus, about the latest on COVID-19 relief talks.

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Economy

As Pandemic Weighs On Economy, Fed Chair Powell Says Relief Is Needed

6:05am December 17, 2020

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve says economic growth could be stronger than previously expected next year. But the central bank cautions that struggling families and businesses will need help until then.

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