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Small businesses cut jobs while waiting for government loans


NEW YORK (AP) — While thousands of small businesses waited for coronavirus relief money to arrive, they were shutting down and laying off workers. Two reports issued this week shed light on the crisis that business owners have been struggling through since the coronavirus hit. On Wednesday, payroll provider ADP said its small business customers […]




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Proposal to tax big businesses will be shelved by Seattle City Council during coronavirus emergency


The decision by Council President M. Lorena González and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda will stall the big-business tax championed by Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Tammy Morales, which already faced opposition from Mayor Jenny Durkan.




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U.S. unemployment rate soars to 14.7%, worst since Depression era


The staggering losses are more than double what the nation experienced during the 2007-09 crisis, which used to be described as the harshest economic situation most people ever confronted.




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Coronavirus unemployment: Bartenders, dental assistants top list of Washington’s hardest-hit jobs


About 14,800 initial unemployment claims by bartenders were filed from March 8 through April 25, which closely matches the number of people estimated to work as bartenders in Washington in the second quarter of 2020.




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IRS sets Wednesday deadline for direct deposit stimulus payments


The Internal Revenue Service said it will accept bank account information until noon Wednesday for people who want to receive stimulus payments by direct deposit. After that, the IRS will send the money by check to the address on file, with those payments expected to arrive in late May and June, according to a statement […]




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Fraudsters are faking Washington unemployment claims amid coronavirus joblessness surge


As Washington grapples with a tsunami of legitimate unemployment claims — more than 100,000 last week — the state also is seeing a rise in attempts by fraudsters to siphon off a portion of the benefits.




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Small businesses band together to sue insurers over coronavirus damage


In many cases, the response from insurers has been: We don't cover viruses.




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Advertising adjusts for a new reality: sweatpants for staying home and toilet paper that cares


On the TV, a bearded man sits alone in an empty white room. He’s dressed like a military officer in a campy musical and is holding a giant bowl of popcorn that he touches only after using hand sanitizer. It’s a 15-second advertisement starring Captain Obvious, the spokesman for Hotels.com, urging everyone to keep their […]




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From goofy to grotesque, here are some horror options to stream that are a scream


Here's a quick survey of the good horror stuff you’ll find streaming on various services. There’s something to offer both casual and hard-core fans alike.




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From ‘Jeopardy!’ to opera, our arts critic picks 6 of the best events to watch or listen to May 1-7


Here are a few arts-and-entertainment-y online diversions for the week, from near and far, including Seattle Opera on KING-FM and New York City Ballet.




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Need a laugh? Some comfort? Seattle Times features staffers pick TV shows to fit your mood


Here are our features staffers’ recommendations for shows to check out if you’re craving comfort or nostalgia, want to feel inspired or empowered, or simply need a good laugh.




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New on Netflix in May 2020: ‘Space Force,’ ‘Hollywood,’ ‘Uncut Gems’ and more


Here's what's coming and going on Netflix in May.




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New on Amazon in May 2020: ‘Rocketman,’ ‘The Goldfinch,’ ‘Upload,’ ‘The Hustle’ and more


The musical retelling of the life of Elton John leads the blast of releases coming to Amazon Prime Video.




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Sunday Best: Finally, some relief in the form of parasols and bonnets from ‘Belgravia’


These costumes, from “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes’ new EPIX miniseries “Belgravia,” are made by their details — and are the perfect relief, in photo form, for the day/week/month/year’s stresses.




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New on Hulu in May 2020: ‘Rocketman,’ ‘The Great,’ ‘Solar Opposites,’ ‘Spaceship Earth’ and more


Here's a complete list of what's coming and going on Hulu in May.




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Now streaming: ‘Star Wars’ movies, ‘The Eddy,’ ‘Bloodshot,’ ‘Solar Opposites’ and more


Looking for something to stream? Here are this week's highlights.




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Celebrate Mother’s Day and more with these weekend activities


Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.




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Twitch is developing talk shows and dating programs for gamers


Twitch, the online video site popular among gamers, is looking for its version of “The Bachelor.” The company plans to fund a slate of original, unscripted series that would be live and interactive, airing two to three times a week, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg. Its preferred genres are game shows, dating […]




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Hunt is on for giant, bee-killing hornet in Washington state


The Asian giant hornet, the world’s largest hornet and an invasive species first documented in the state late last year, can attack and kill a honey bee colony in a few hours. The Washington Department of Agriculture confirmed the first two sightings of the predator in December, and also reported two unconfirmed but probable sightings. […]




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Aircraft to spray insecticide for invasive moths in Everett, Woodway


The $300,000 effort could take place between now and June depending on weather conditions and the moths' hatching season, officials said.




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U District, Ballard farmers markets will reopen this weekend despite coronavirus


The markets, which had been closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, will open with new rules.




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Farm unions sue Washington state in push for safer work conditions amid coronavirus pandemic


The suit, filed Thursday in Skagit County Superior Court, seeks an injunction requiring state agencies to expedite and toughen their oversight through emergency rulemaking.




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Trump Announces a $19 Billion Bailout for Ailing Farmers


(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump announced a $19 billion bailout package for farmers hurt financially by the coronavirus crisis. The aid plan includes $16 billion in direct payments to farmers to boost their incomes, along with $3 billion in government purchases of meat, dairy products and other foods, the president said Friday at a White […]




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As coronavirus cases in Yakima Valley agriculture spike, advocates for growers and workers react differently to new state guidelines


Yakima County health officials said they have identified 70 COVID-19 cases among farm and fruit-packing workers. Growers consider new state safety guidelines reasonable but unions say they give employers an easy out.




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Tyson Foods idles largest pork plant as virus slams industry


IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods suspended operations Wednesday at an Iowa plant that is critical to the nation’s pork supply but was blamed for fueling a massive coronavirus outbreak in the region. The Arkansas-based company said the closure of the plant in Waterloo would deny a vital market to hog farmers and further […]




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Severe coronavirus outbreaks stagger some meat-packing plants in Washington


The toll on the meat processing industry has stunned some of industry's biggest players, and prompted an urgent push to redefine workplace protections needed to keep products flowing into grocery stores amid the global pandemic.




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Through coronavirus pandemic and two world wars, this Des Moines nursery keeps people planting and believing


Zenith Holland Nursery has seen times like this before — and survived. The Des Moines nursery opened in 1907, survived two world wars and remains open during the coronavirus shutdown.




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Inslee: Washington state parks, recreational fishing, golf courses to reopen May 5, amid coronavirus outbreak


Gov. Inslee announced Monday that golf and recreational fishing could resume on May 5 and many state parks and public lands will reopen as well.




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Early test results suggest widespread coronavirus infections at Washington state’s largest beef plant, Tyson


The plant, located in Walla Walla County, largely shut down last week amid a major outbreak that already had resulted in more than 125 workers sickened, including one who died. Since then, 56 more have tested positive, with more test results to come.




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In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand


As global demand for french fries has slumped, potato farmers in Washington state are trying to figure out what to do with millions of pounds of tubers and avoid financial disaster.




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You can still get Pike Place Market flowers for Mother’s Day, thanks to the Drive-Thru Flower Festival


Twenty of the farmers who sell at Pike Place Market are participating in Saturday's event, with pickup sites in Seattle and Renton.




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In Japan, the ‘murder hornet’ is both a lethal threat and a tasty treat


In the mountains of rural Japan, “murder hornets” are known for more than their aggression and excruciating sting. They are seen as a pleasant snack and an invigorating ingredient in drinks.




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Are you paying extra for eggs? Lawsuits accuse producers of price gouging


With Americans cooking much more at home, demand has grown for eggs — to scramble, fry, bake or crack into any number of meals. But it will cost you. The tripling in price of a dozen regular eggs in many parts of the country — to an excess of $3 — has prompted various lawsuits […]




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Pike Place Market’s Hmong flower farmers adapt during the coronavirus pandemic


“My parents have been through worse,” one farmer said. “We'll get through this.”




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Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth endures ‘second offseason’ before first season thanks to coronavirus


Sitting at his home in Florida, new Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth can only wait, like everyone else, for a return to normalcy while monitoring pitchers that are spread out across the country.




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With MLB shut down due to coronavirus, Mariners host video roundtable on Jackie Robinson Day


The Mariners have 10 African-American players on the 40-man roster — the most in MLB.




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Mariners’ Manny Acta remains mindful of Latin minor-leaguers’ plight amid coronavirus outbreak


Acta spoke candidly is issues in Dominican Republic and MLB players complaining about the proposed restart plan.




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Charitable works earn Mariners infielder Dee Gordon the 55th Hutch Award


Gordon is active in a variety of charities and community work, including victims of domestic violence.




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Get to know Jordyn Brooks, the Seahawks’ first-round NFL draft pick from Texas Tech


Instead of trading down to add more picks, the Seahawks selected linebacker Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech with the No. 27 overall pick. Wait, who? Allow us to explain.




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Get to know Darrell Taylor, the Seahawks’ second-round NFL draft pick out of Tennessee


Taylor, who has drawn comparisons to Clark by several draft analysts and scouts could bring a level of explosiveness that the defensive ends on the roster simply don't possess.




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NFC West Day 3 roundup: Division gets scarier for Seahawks as 49ers trade for star tackle Trent Williams


The San Francisco 49ers didn't have a draft pick on Day 2 of the NFL draft, but general manager John Lynch made up for it on Day 3 by acquiring Washington Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams in a trade.




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Get to know Colby Parkinson, the Seahawks’ fourth-round NFL draft pick from Stanford


The Seahawks taking lanky tight end Colby Parkinson out of Stanford with their first fourth-round pick addresses a future and possibly current need




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Here’s what golfers should know as Washington courses prepare to reopen after coronavirus shutdown


Any course planning to reopen must comply to guidelines developed by the governor's office. The most notable will be the limit of two people per group instead of threesomes or foursomes in groups. The only exception: If all the people are from the same household, a foursome is acceptable.




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Coronavirus shutdown feels ‘kind of like the start of a lousy retirement’ for Mariners’ Tom Murphy


Murphy was supposed to be a month into an important season, his first as the Mariners' main catcher. Instead, he waits in a sort of baseball purgatory. “Yeah, I'm definitely struggling with it,” he said.




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Mariners announce ticket-refund process for games impacted by coronavirus shutdown


Single-game ticket buyers will get a refund while season-ticket holders will get credit.




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Kyle Russell is Washington’s top prep baseball player, but MLB draft may not be an option due to coronavirus shutdown


As one of the Northwest's top high-school players, he’s accepted a scholarship to play for Washington State. But under a normal circumstances, Russell and his family would be weighing another option more closely — the 2020 Major League Baseball amateur draft.




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MLB reportedly is finalizing proposal to start season in early July after coronavirus shutdown


Major League Baseball is reportedly considering a plan of restarting spring training in early June with the season starting in early July.




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The Korean Baseball Organization is back from the coronavirus shutdown. Is this what Mariners games will look like?


The quality of the games, which include a handful of former big-league players, isn’t great. But it’s real, live baseball being broadcast by ESPN. Beyond the joy of watching baseball, these games provide a glimpse of what Mariners games and other MLB matchups might look like if/when they return.




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‘I feel so much faster this year’: High-school seniors hoping coronavirus doesn’t take their final shot at glory


The WIAA hasn't canceled the spring postseason, but if schools remain shut down there will be no state tournaments.




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O’Dea’s Paolo Banchero named Gatorade player of the year for Washington


The 6-foot-9, five-star prospect was also the Star Times Boys Basketball Player of the Year.