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Employment

KCMO Budget Holding Up…For Now

Kansas City's budget situation is currently holding up despite challenges from COVID-19, but council members are preparing for a scenario that could get worse. So far, there have been no layoffs or furloughs of city employees and a $1.7-billion budget… more

Fed Chair Powell Sees A Gradual Recovery

Economic recovery will be gradual and prolonged, but federal aid programs are worth it to help stimulate the economy, said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in statements to Peterson Institute for International Economics. “Additional fiscal support could be costly but… more

Producer Price Index Sees Biggest-Ever Drop

The Producer Price Index fell 1.3 percent in April, the biggest decline in the history of the report, said the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "In April, over 80 percent of the decrease in the final demand index can be… more

House Proposes Another $3T in Stimulus

House Democrats have proposed another stimulus bill, totaling $3 trillion, in response to economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It would follow the $2 trillion stimulus bill passed in March, though the measure is not expected to make it… more

COVID-19 Lawsuits Might be Restricted in Kansas

There is bill being proposed in the Kansas Legislature that would limit the lawsuit liability business owners would face from legal action related to COVID-19. Proposed by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the bill could be considered May 21, when… more

Hyatt Laying Off 1,300 Employees

Hyatt Hotels, which has locations in Johnson County, Kan., and by KCI airport, is laying off 1,300 workers company wide, due to a steep drop in travel caused by COVID-19. During its first quarter, Hyatt lost $103 million due to… more

Airlines Forecast Major Layoffs

With $2 billion of losses estimated daily, the airline industry is facing the sobering reality of major layoffs throughout various positions. Even though the federal bailout of $25 billion does not allow airline companies to lay off workers, that money… more

‘Real’ Unemployment Higher Than Official Rate

Last week the unemployment rate hit 14.7 percent after payrolls fell by 20.5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Labor but that was only part of the story. Prior to the 33.5 million unemployed since the beginning of the… more

Trump Says Government Buying $3B From Farmers, Ranchers

The federal government plans to purchase $3 billion in crops, meat and dairy products from farmers that will be used in food banks and other facilities, announced President Donald Trump over the weekend. Farmers and ranchers, which were already suffering… more

KCMO Starts Reopening Plan May 15

Kansas City, Mo., will start what Mayor Quinton Lucas is calling "responsible reopening" on May 15. "As we continue working to increase our testing capacity and contact tracing capabilities, I implore all who can to continue working from home and… more