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Economy adds 146K jobs, rate falls to 7.7 pct.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy added 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures. The Labor Department’s report Friday offered a mixed picture of the economy. Hiring remained steady during the storm and […]
Economy adds 146K jobs, unemployment rate falls to 7.7 pct.
WASHINGTON — The pace of U.S. hiring remained steady in November despite disruptions from Superstorm Sandy and employers’ concerns about impending tax increases from the year-end “fiscal cliff.” Companies added 146,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent — the lowest in nearly four years — from 7.9 percent in October. The rate […]
Applications for jobless aid fall to 393,000
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000 last week. It was the second straight drop after Superstorm Sandy had driven applications much higher earlier this month. A Labor Department analyst said Thursday that the storm had little effect on last week’s data. Applications had spiked to […]
Senators urge disaster aid for individuals
WASHINGTON — Maryland senators are urging President Barack Obama to approve individual disaster assistance for Dorchester, Somerset and Worcester counties to help recovery efforts from Superstorm Sandy. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin made the request on Wednesday. That’s a day after the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced federal aid is being made available to […]
Sandy leads to Thanksgiving rental car shortage
NEW YORK — Thanksgiving travelers who have yet to rent a car in the Northeast are out of luck: Superstorm Sandy has created a shortage. The storm has damaged thousands of cars — including those owned by rental companies. The loss of vehicles has been compounded by rising demand. Thanksgiving and Christmas are normally busy […]
O.C. boardwalk project on track despite storm
OCEAN CITY — A project to rebuild the Ocean City boardwalk remains on track despite the effects of Hurricane Sandy last month. City Engineer Terry McGean tells the Daily Times of Salisbury that the project lost only two days to the storm and is still expected to be done in April. The storm certainly affected […]
Superstorm Sandy pushes jobless claims to 439K
WASHINGTON — Superstorm Sandy drove the number of people seeking unemployment benefits up to a seasonally adjusted 439,000 last week, the highest level in 18 months. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications increased by 78,000 mostly because a large number of applications were filed in states damaged by the storm. People can claim […]
13 senators, including Mikulski, seek more Sandy aid
WASHINGTON — Thirteen senators from seven states damaged by superstorm Sandy are asking President Barack Obama to boost federal disaster aid to the states. Senators from Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Delaware asked Obama in a joint letter Tuesday to add more emergency aid for federal disaster assistance programs […]
Ocean City mayor: Pier damaged by storm to be rebuilt
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s iconic fishing pier, destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, will be rebuilt in time for the summer 2013 season. By the time the clouds parted after the Oct. 29-30 storm, a large section of the battered pier had disappeared. Some pilings were left standing but have been removed so as not to […]
Sandy likely biggest U.S. relief effort since 2005
WASHINGTON — Widespread destruction from Superstorm Sandy will likely make for the largest U.S. relief effort by the American Red Cross and others since Hurricane Katrina. By Friday, the Red Cross had raised $117 million in donations and pledges. The Salvation Army raised $5 million. As the largest private relief organization, the Red Cross saw […]
Fannie, Freddie expand aid to storm-hit homeowners
MCLEAN, Va. — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are expanding their assistance to borrowers whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The mortgage organizations said Friday that they will automatically suspend evictions and foreclosures in disaster areas for 90 days. They also gave servicers more flexibility and independence to suspend payments, provide loan […]
