CNN | Here’s what’s in the second stimulus package

Washington (CNN)Leaders in the House and Senate reached an agreement late Sunday on a $900 billion pandemic relief bill that includes enhanced unemployment benefits and direct cash payments.

There were several changes made from a proposal put forward nearly two weeks ago by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Direct stimulus checks were brought in at the last minute. Direct aid to states and liability protections for companies were left out.  —read more— 

CNN | A guide to helping and getting help during the coronavirus crisis

The coronavirus pandemic is overwhelming, and one of the most excruciating parts for many people is the feeling of utter helplessness in the face of widespread suffering and hardship. CNN’s Impact Your World has compiled a list of donation opportunities and tips to help those affected by the crisis.

Click on a category or scroll down to browse a list of organizations, resources and ideas.

Need help?  —read more— 

CNN health | The secrets of couples thriving right now in the pandemic

(CNN) – Before the pandemic, S. Nicole Lane said that much of her time with her boyfriend was spent going out, dancing and drinking.

“We both work pretty demanding jobs, so our days off were spent in a whirlwind,” she said. “I think many of our fights and arguments were fueled by alcohol.”

During pandemic lockdown earlier this year, the Chicago couple started hiking together, often covering as many as 20 miles in a single day on the trails. “I don’t think we went into hiking saying, ‘This will help our relationship,’ but it’s really brought us a lot closer and more comfortable with one another,” she said. —read more—

CNN BUSINESS | Black Millennials fueled a surprising 2020 home-buying surge for African Americans

New York (CNN Business) – Owning a home was never a priority for Kenyan immigrant Lynne Poole or her husband, Aaron prior to 2020. The newlyweds, like many Millennials, enjoyed the lifestyle that came with renting an apartment in a major city — in their case, Denver.

Lynne, 31, moved there in 2016 to earn her master’s degree in communications management before landing a marketing gig at Rental Kharma, a Denver-based company.
“We really liked the outdoors, eating out, nice restaurants close by,” Lynne told CNN Business. —read more—

CNN | Covid-19 won’t stop NORAD from tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve flight around the world

(CNN) – The holidays are going to be a little different this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but NORAD says it will be ready to track Santa Claus and his reindeer as they make their annual flight.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, which is responsible for protecting the skies over the US and Canada, says it will be ready to follow Santa on December 24 as he flies from the North Pole to visit children’s houses all over the world.  —read more— 

CNN BUSINESS | Home sales are off the charts

Even amid a global pandemic and high unemployment, people are still buying homes at the fastest rate in years.

Home sales rose again in October, at their highest pace in 14 years, according to the National Association of Realtors.

But a record low inventory of available homes and a greater number of luxury homes sold have pushed the median home price up to a record $313,000, almost 16% more than a year ago. Total housing inventory dropped 3% from September and is down nearly 20% from a year ago.  —read more— 

CNN | Chicago issues stay-at-home advisory and tells residents to cancel traditional Thanksgiving celebrations

(CNN) – Thanksgiving typically means two things: lots of food and lots of family time. But this year, with Covid-19 numbers soaring, the city of Chicago would prefer if its residents nixed the latter.

As cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in the city, Chicago has issued a stay-at-home advisory — encouraging residents to stay home and only leave for school, work or other essential needs, according to a news release issued Thursday. That includes seeking medical care, grocery shopping and picking up food.

The order, which begins Monday, extends through Thanksgiving festivities. Residents are “strongly advised” to not have guests in their homes outside of essential workers — even family and close friends.  —read more— 

CNN BUSINESS | The economy as we knew it may be over, Fed chief says

New York (CNN Business) – The Covid-19 pandemic brought the economy to a screeching halt, and while it has started its long road to recovery, the economy we knew is probably a thing of the past, said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday.

“We’re recovering, but to a different economy,” Powell said during a virtual panel discussion at the European Central Bank’s Forum on Central Banking.

The pandemic has accelerated existing trends in the economy and society, including the increasing use of technology, telework and automation, he said. This will have lasting effects on how people live and work.  —read more— 

CNN | Penn Jillette: “You have one job, Joe”

Okay, so it’s not over, there will be court fights, but Joe has won. I used to identify as Libertarian, I used to have opinions on government. I used to think I disagreed with Joe Biden on most everything, but I voted for him. I wanted the other guy fired and I wanted Joe hired and for me the job description is now very simple. I need Joe to love all the Trump supporters. I don’t care if Joe raises taxes. I don’t care if Joe helps add stupid, counterproductive regulations. I don’t care about anything except love and kindness.  —read more— 

CNN BUSINESS | The end of $600 stimulus checks has left unemployed Americans facing financial ruin

New York (CNN) – Congress’ failure to extend supplemental unemployment insurance benefits is taking a serious financial toll on millions of laid-off or furloughed US workers and exacerbating wealth inequality, according to a new study.

Many out-of-work Americans were able to maintain their finances through August, in large part because of the weekly $600 supplemental unemployment benefit checks they were receiving through the CARES Act, which expired at the end of July, according to a new paper by researchers from Harvard, the University of Oxford and George Washington University.

But that financial stability crumbled in September and October as negotiations on a new stimulus bill reached a stalemate.  —read more—