Scott Horsley

Retail sales dropped sharply last month after a winter storm blanketed much of the country's midsection, but forecasters expect a sharp rebound in sales.

The $1.9 trillion relief bill includes a new monthly allowance for American parents that could help provide a critical lifeline.

Economists expect the additional federal spending, coupled with an improving public health picture, will jumpstart economic growth this year.

U.S. employers added 379,000 jobs in February — more than most forecasters predicted. Despite this increase in jobs, the Biden administration says the country is still a long way from full employment.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 6.2% last month as the winter wave of coronavirus infections eased.

Forecasters expect today's jobs report to show an uptick in hiring last month, after a disappointing January. The report comes as Congress is weighing another $1.9 trillion in economic aid.

U.S. factories are thriving thanks to unexpectedly strong demand for all kinds of goods, but that is also leading to unexpected headaches.

Backers of the president's ambitious stimulus plan say it will help struggling families and businesses, but critics say it goes too far.

President Biden's economic rescue bill includes $350 billion in aid to state and local governments. While state finances have fared better than predicted, local governments may be less stable.

Republicans in Congress question whether schools, cities and states really need as much relief as President Biden and Democrats want to give them. At the local level, people say they're desperate.

Powell warned it will take time to put millions of jobless Americans back to work, while also downplaying inflation threats.

Retail spending rebounded strongly last month after three months of decline. The jump was fueled partly by $600 federal relief payments, which hit people's bank accounts at the beginning of the month.

As impeachment fades into the rearview mirror, lawmakers will be focused on President Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion economic rescue package. Economists are debating that level of federal spending.

Congressional forecasters expect the federal deficit will hit the second largest in decades, even without factoring in President Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.

Black-owned businesses were often at the back of the line when the first coronavirus relief loans were doled out. Now, some are turning to banks that specialize in minority firms for help.

Black-owned businesses were among the last to receive paycheck protection loans last year. Now, some businesses are turning to banks that specialize in working with Black and brown customers.

President Biden's nominee to head the White House budget office pushed for Biden's economic relief package and apologized for insults against Republican senators during her confirmation hearing.

President Biden's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget apologized for previously insulting Republicans and promised to work in a bipartisan manner if confirmed.

A lackluster jobs report from the Labor Department on Friday increases the pressure on policymakers to offer additional economic aid. Without additional help, a full jobs recovery could be years away.

U.S. employers added 49,000 jobs last month, after a pandemic-driven slump in December. Unemployment fell to 6.3%.