Alanna Joyner

Congress leaves town without a coronavirus stimulus deal, allowing $600 unemployment benefit to end

By Alanna Joyner / August 3, 2020 / Comments Off on Congress leaves town without a coronavirus stimulus deal, allowing $600 unemployment benefit to end

Another round of coronavirus relief package talks began today, as Congress adjourned for the weekend without coming to any deal on the program or a larger emergency stimulus package. The $600 weekly unemployment benefit that helped 32 million Americans stay afloat, officially ended on Friday — leaving unemployed Americans in limbo while Congress continues to…

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The News & Observer: With weekly $600 gone, NC unemployment benefits alone are not enough, workers say

By Alanna Joyner / July 29, 2020 / Comments Off on The News & Observer: With weekly $600 gone, NC unemployment benefits alone are not enough, workers say

As Congress debates how to shape the next phase of coronavirus relief, the extra $600 federal unemployment benefits that were legislated through the CARES Act have now expired for millions across the country.  The last payment rolled out this past weekend, as the House and Senate are considering different economic stimulus packages.  Instead of extending…

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As part of Trump’s push to reopen schools, Pence visits Thales Academy in Apex

By Alanna Joyner / July 29, 2020 / Comments Off on As part of Trump’s push to reopen schools, Pence visits Thales Academy in Apex

Just two days after Trump’s visit to Morrisville, Pence is visiting Thales Academy, a private school in Apex today. The private school reopened last week with in-person learning along with virtual learning. In an effort to continue the Trump administration’s push to reopen schools, Pence will join a roundtable at the academy to discuss how…

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Millions of Americans are about to experience utility shutoffs, evictions and loss of homes

By Alanna Joyner / July 28, 2020 / Comments Off on Millions of Americans are about to experience utility shutoffs, evictions and loss of homes

Numerous moratorium on evictions across the nation, including in North Carolina, are set to end in the coming days. According to a Census Bureau survey, almost 24 million Americans say that they don’t expect to be able to make their next monthly rent or mortgage payment, as the blockage of utility charges and the eviction…

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NBC News: Trump’s coronavirus reaction failed America. But Congress also failed us — and it has for years

By Alanna Joyner / July 27, 2020 / Comments Off on NBC News: Trump’s coronavirus reaction failed America. But Congress also failed us — and it has for years

As the U.S. hits 4.3 million COVID-19 cases, medical experts are urging leaders to consider shutting down the country and start over to contain the pandemic. Since the early months of the year, the Trump administration missed or ignored the mounting signals of the impending crisis.  Yet, while Trump fumbled our nation’s response and assigned…

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Senate Republicans, White House seek to reduce weekly unemployment benefit from $600 to $200

By Alanna Joyner / July 27, 2020 / Comments Off on Senate Republicans, White House seek to reduce weekly unemployment benefit from $600 to $200

This week, millions of North Carolinians and people across the country will see a drastic reduction in unemployment benefits as the additional $600 federal UI  is set to stop at the end of the month.  In March, the federal government agreed to send an additional $600 to unemployed workers from the CARES Act. Talks of…

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Progressive Pulse: N.C. is fifth in the nation in lost health insurance coverage due to the COVID-19 recession

By Alanna Joyner / July 22, 2020 / Comments Off on Progressive Pulse: N.C. is fifth in the nation in lost health insurance coverage due to the COVID-19 recession

According to a new report from researchers at the group Families USA, North Carolina is one of the hardest hit state by COVID-19’s economic impact with 238,000 people losing health insurance through May. One-in-five adults under age 65 in North Carolina was uninsured as state lawmakers refused to pass Medicaid expansion in the latest legislative…

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The New York Times: Trump Administration Strips C.D.C. of Control of Coronavirus Data

By Alanna Joyner / July 20, 2020 / Comments Off on The New York Times: Trump Administration Strips C.D.C. of Control of Coronavirus Data

Last week, the Trump Administration stripped control of all COVID-19 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and has ordered hospitals to send the information to the Department of Health and Human Services through a private company. Since the pandemic began, the CDC has regularly published data on availability of hospital beds,…

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WRAL: Safety, equity and resources are key to begin N.C. school year right

By Alanna Joyner / July 20, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: Safety, equity and resources are key to begin N.C. school year right

Decisions on reopening schools is happening across the country as the Trump Administration has pressured governors to reopen schools his fall. With numerous threats to cut school funding for states that do not adhere to Trump’s strong-arm approach, North Carolina was one of many states that announced school plans.  For North Carolina, the choice of…

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Progressive Pulse: As the General Assembly adjourns, it leaves money on the table while needs go unmet

By Alanna Joyner / July 14, 2020 / Comments Off on Progressive Pulse: As the General Assembly adjourns, it leaves money on the table while needs go unmet

The General Assembly adjourned on Saturday, with lawmakers coming back into session on Sept. 2. In its most recent legislative session, Republican lawmakers did not set aside politics on many issues, but rather ignored public health officials and sought to force the reopening of the state. During an unprecedented moment, the demands of the wealthy…

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