WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion bill Friday to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 50,000 Americans and devastated broad swaths of the economy.

LANSING — Michigan, whose inundated unemployment system saw 134,000 new filings last week, reported progress Thursday in processing claims and getting money out the door during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite growing calls to begin reopening the state's economy from Republicans, protesters and some in the business community, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday such a move is unlikely before the current emergency declaration expires on May. 1.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday she hopes to gradually begin reopening the state’s economy on May 1 after weeks of a strict stay-at-home order that has crippled businesses and caused more than 1 million unemployed people to seek aid during the coronavirus crisis.

Slowly but surely, taxpayers are telling their friends and posting on social media that they're seeing stimulus checks arrive in their bank accounts.

LANSING (AP) — Michigan's unemployment website and other online services were down on Monday, the first day self-employed workers and independent contractors could start filing claims for benefits under a federal aid package enacted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

First, knock down the number of new COVID-19 cases. Then, ramp up testing far beyond current levels. And lastly, prep health care facilities and businesses for the possibility of new flare-ups.

What’s not to like about a stimulus check?

Face it, we're stuck at home, fearful of how the coronavirus pandemic could take away our loved ones, and ever so eager to latch onto quick solutions.

LANSING (AP) — Claims for unemployment benefits continued to skyrocket in Michigan last week during the coronavirus pandemic, when 311,000 people filed initial applications — more than double from the previous week.

GRAND RAPIDS — Currently, West Michigan is being affected less than other parts of the country economically due to fallout from the current COVID-19 pandemic, said Paul Isely, associate dean and professor of economics at Grand Valley State University.

WASHINGTON — Congress is poised to approve an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package that will provide one-time checks for most Americans and significant enhancements to unemployment benefits. Both will provide much-needed help to those recently laid-off and to financially stres…

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a mammoth $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented response amid record new jobless claims and mounting evidence that the economy is in a recession.

Feeling the heebie-jeebies about your stock market investments lately? You’re not alone.

Last year was busy in terms of permitting and construction for local municipalities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled House voted Tuesday to pass a $1.4 trillion government spending package, handing President Donald Trump a victory on his U.S.-Mexico border fence while giving Democrats spending increases across a swath of domestic programs.

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to ensure that Michigan's 6% sales and use taxes are collected on more items sold through websites such as Wayfair, Overstock and Amazon.

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rallied with teachers earlier this week to push for a sizable boost in school spending, saying a "failure" in the Capitol has contributed to worsening educational outcomes for Michigan kids.

Asked to name their highest priority benefits for a new job, more than half of millennials in a new survey ranked health insurance highly. Just 36 percent included a company retirement plan match in their top three.

While the layoffs at Ford Motor Co. are the latest to grab headlines, the automaker isn’t alone in trimming its payrolls. Retailers, snack foods companies, manufacturers and others are cutting costs across the country, too.

LANSING (AP) — Michigan's Legislature was poised Friday to pass a bill that would cut the country's highest auto insurance premiums by letting drivers forego a one-of-a-kind requirement to buy unlimited medical coverage for crash injuries.

(StatePoint) Kids often view money as having one function only: to buy stuff, right now. Give a young child $5 and he’ll likely spend it all, often looking for things that cost $5.

America's "recession obsession" is ongoing. We're glued to each dip in the Dow. We're hanging on every bit of news on layoffs, late car payments and bad economic luck. We're worried that somehow, the 10-year economic expansion is coming to a halt.

Amanda Hill, 27, deals with big student loan debt by doing everything she can to keep her other bills small.

New federal overtime rules could boost some pay for some workers

If you're preparing your income taxes and your refund isn't as big as you had bargained for, there's no reason to panic.

During his 90-minute presentation Tuesday morning on the economic forecast for Northwest Ottawa County, Dr. Paul Isley used the word “recession” more than 30 times.

The best way to prepare to do your taxes — or even get your taxes done — is to take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and start scrambling for your paperwork.

It's the time of year for fresh starts and resolutions, so now is the perfect time to take stock of your financial fitness.

Many times, the New Year kicks off with a huge financial hangover. But this year, we're looking at even more reasons to keep an eye on our money.

LANSING — Michigan would shift income tax revenue away from the School Aid Fund toward road repairs and environmental cleanups under legislation approved by the Legislature Friday morning during the frenetic lame-duck session.

Grand Haven’s streets have seen better days, and more than double the current annual investment is needed to maintain existing quality and improve the system, city officials say. 

FRUITPORT TWP. – Nearly 90 minutes into a public hearing at Fruitport Middle School Wednesday night, no one voiced opposition to the proposed Little River Band of Ottawa Indians casino project.

The City of Grand Haven is considering a long-term financing plan that would require a millage to keep up with increasing infrastructure needs.

NEW YORK (AP) — It would have been easy to turn on their computers at home over plates of leftover turkey and take advantage of the Black Friday deals most retailers now offer online.

Voters in Ottawa County will decide in the November election whether to raise the maximum county tax levy or leave it up to the county, local municipalities and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD). 

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers advertised the most jobs on record in July, and the number of workers quitting their jobs also hit a new all-time high.

The Northwest Ottawa Recreation Authority (NORA) has asked the City of Grand Haven to take over its administrative services.

Despite a strong economy, about 40 percent of American families struggled to meet at least one of their basic needs last year, including paying for food, health care, housing or utilities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Is the latest pickup in U.S. economic growth destined to slow in the years ahead as most analysts say?

American shoppers stepped up their spending more than expected in July amid rising consumer confidence, a tight labor market and this year’s federal tax cut.

School classrooms will once again be filled with students in just a few weeks.

Whether it is during local government meetings or Wake Up West Coast breakfasts, affordable housing dominates conversations among West Michigan leaders.

TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — Rebecca Brown is a rare case; the 18-year-old plans to work every summer through her college years.

Get ready for a little bit more pain at the pump this summer.