Losses loom larger than gains

The devastation visited upon restaurants and bars is well-known. These were hit with orders to close entirely in March—and in many places only partially reopened later, ordered to serve food only outside or to a greatly diminished capacity for diners. In city centers with vacant office towers, once crowded lunch spots stood empty. Business meals vanished altogether. As well, many Americans were wary of eating out, fearful of contracting the virus. Customer receipts in 2020 fell 19.5 percent. … [Read more...] about Carney: A Year of Pains and Gains For America’s Retailers

Then there’s augmented reality. The technology, which lets us interact with digital objects superimposed on our physical world, has been more than a decade in the making. For years, it seemed more futuristic than useful. But now that we can’t easily go to a physical store to try things on, snapping a selfie to see a digital rendering of makeup on your face sure seems like a better idea. … [Read more...] about The tech that will invade our lives in 2021

This time around, borrowers are being given greater flexibility to cover expenses beyond payroll, including operating costs, property damage, supplier costs and equipment purchased to protect workers. Borrowers can choose a time frame to spend the money of either eight or 24 weeks. And loan forgiveness is expected to be more streamlined this go-around, especially for borrowers taking out loans of under $150,000. … [Read more...] about Colorado’s community lenders are leading new wave of PPP loans

The divide in education between families that can afford laptops and strong Wi-Fi signals and those that can’t has been well documented, and often affects rural areas and communities of color. In 2018, 15 million to 16 million students didn’t have an adequate device or reliable internet connection at home, according to a report from Common Sense Media, a children’s advocacy and media ratings group that receives licensing fees from internet providers that distribute its content. … [Read more...] about Teachers on TV? Schools try creative strategy to narrow digital divide

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) November 5, 2019 According to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist communications, the series of 16 photos appears to show several groups of fighters, from different locations, carrying IS banners and raising their fists or their guns as they pledge their loyalty. … [Read more...] about Key Islamic State Affiliate Appears to Back New Leader