Pandemic Stalls Investment In 'Opportunity Zone' Areas, Survey Says Economic uncertainty from the coronavirus pandemic is keeping potential investors in "opportunity zones" on the sidelines, according to a survey of people involved in the sector.The economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic is stifling a federal program meant to spur new investment in low-income neighborhoods, according to a new survey from an advocacy group that backs the initiative. The Economic Innovation Group involved in "opportunity zones," designated areas that offer tax incentives for investment. Created...…Pandemic Stalls Investment In 'Opportunity Zone' Areas, Survey Says Economic uncertainty from the coronavirus pandemic is keeping potential investors in "opportunity zones" on the sidelines, according to a survey of people involved in the sector.The economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic is stifling a federal program meant to spur new investment in low-income neighborhoods, according to a new survey from an advocacy group that backs the initiative. The Economic Innovation Group involved in "opportunity zones," designated areas that offer tax incentives for investment. Created...WW…

Trump Received Intelligence Briefings On Coronavirus Twice In January : Coronavirus Updates The president was warned in early briefings that the virus was going to "spread globally," according to a White House official who said Trump was told deaths were happening "only in China."President Trump twice received intelligence briefings on the coronavirus in January, according to a White House official. The official tells NPR the briefings occurred on Jan. 23 and Jan. 28. "The president was told that the coronavirus was potentially going to 'spread globally,' " the official said of the first...…Trump Received Intelligence Briefings On Coronavirus Twice In January : Coronavirus Updates The president was warned in early briefings that the virus was going to "spread globally," according to a White House official who said Trump was told deaths were happening "only in China."President Trump twice received intelligence briefings on the coronavirus in January, according to a White House official. The official tells NPR the briefings occurred on Jan. 23 and Jan. 28. "The president was told that the coronavirus was potentially going to 'spread globally,' " the official said of the first...WW…

White House Looks At 'Opportunity Zone' Extension After COVID-19 The White House says it might extend "opportunity zone" tax breaks to help struggling neighborhoods after the pandemic. But critics say the program mostly helps wealthy investors.Heard onToggle more optionsThe White House is looking at extending a tax break for investments in certain low-income neighborhoods as it tries to find ways to address the devastating impact of the coronavirus on communities of color in America. A provision in the 2017 tax cut law allows investors to defer and lower their capital gains taxes through...…White House Looks At 'Opportunity Zone' Extension After COVID-19 The White House says it might extend "opportunity zone" tax breaks to help struggling neighborhoods after the pandemic. But critics say the program mostly helps wealthy investors.Heard onToggle more optionsThe White House is looking at extending a tax break for investments in certain low-income neighborhoods as it tries to find ways to address the devastating impact of the coronavirus on communities of color in America. A provision in the 2017 tax cut law allows investors to defer and lower their capital gains taxes through...WW…

Trump Declares National Emergency As Coronavirus Fears Grow The move frees up as much as $50 billion to help states deal with the crisis. But Trump overstated the readiness of a website to help anxious people find testing.Updated at 9:30 p.m. ET President Trump on Friday declared that the coronavirus pandemic is a national emergency, a designation that frees up as much as $50 billion in federal assistance to state and local governments overwhelmed by the spread of the virus, and makes it easier to surge medical resources to areas that need them most. After weeks of criticism over a shortage...…Trump Declares National Emergency As Coronavirus Fears Grow The move frees up as much as $50 billion to help states deal with the crisis. But Trump overstated the readiness of a website to help anxious people find testing.Updated at 9:30 p.m. ET President Trump on Friday declared that the coronavirus pandemic is a national emergency, a designation that frees up as much as $50 billion in federal assistance to state and local governments overwhelmed by the spread of the virus, and makes it easier to surge medical resources to areas that need them most. After weeks of criticism over a shortage...WW…

Biden Aims To Make All Adults Eligible For Coronavirus Vaccine By May 1 President Biden is outlining a plan to get the U.S. "closer to normal" by July 4th. He also plans to ensure all adults are vaccine-eligible by May 1.Heard onToggle more optionsPresident Biden is outlining a plan to get the U.S. "closer to normal" by July 4th. He also plans to ensure all adults are vaccine-eligible by May 1.SCOTT DETROW, HOST:Over and over again during the first 50 or so days of his presidency, Joe Biden has been asked this question - when will we get back to normal? Last night, in a primetime address to...…Biden Aims To Make All Adults Eligible For Coronavirus Vaccine By May 1 President Biden is outlining a plan to get the U.S. "closer to normal" by July 4th. He also plans to ensure all adults are vaccine-eligible by May 1.Heard onToggle more optionsPresident Biden is outlining a plan to get the U.S. "closer to normal" by July 4th. He also plans to ensure all adults are vaccine-eligible by May 1.SCOTT DETROW, HOST:Over and over again during the first 50 or so days of his presidency, Joe Biden has been asked this question - when will we get back to normal? Last night, in a primetime address to...WW…

Biden Aims To Close Loopholes In Federal 'Buy American' Provisions : President Biden Takes Office The measure is part of President Biden's promised push to boost U.S. manufacturing and continues his efforts to sign a slew of executive actions during his first days in office.Updated at 5:03 p.m. ET President Biden signed an executive action on Monday that administration officials say will close loopholes in "Buy American" policies for the federal government. The measure is part of Biden's promised push to boost U.S. manufacturing and continues his efforts to sign a slew of executive actions,...…Biden Aims To Close Loopholes In Federal 'Buy American' Provisions : President Biden Takes Office The measure is part of President Biden's promised push to boost U.S. manufacturing and continues his efforts to sign a slew of executive actions during his first days in office.Updated at 5:03 p.m. ET President Biden signed an executive action on Monday that administration officials say will close loopholes in "Buy American" policies for the federal government. The measure is part of Biden's promised push to boost U.S. manufacturing and continues his efforts to sign a slew of executive actions,...WW…

What Did Biden Do On His 1st Day As President? : Inauguration Day: Live Updates Biden signed 15 executive actions on priorities including COVID-19, climate change, racial justice — and a rollback of some Trump rules.Updated at 8:35 p.m. ET White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that President Biden has signed 15 executive actions, part of a flurry of steps he plans to take in the coming days to address his top policy priorities — and to roll back some of former President Donald Trump's initiatives. White House officials had originally told reporters there would be 17 actions...…What Did Biden Do On His 1st Day As President? : Inauguration Day: Live Updates Biden signed 15 executive actions on priorities including COVID-19, climate change, racial justice — and a rollback of some Trump rules.Updated at 8:35 p.m. ET White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that President Biden has signed 15 executive actions, part of a flurry of steps he plans to take in the coming days to address his top policy priorities — and to roll back some of former President Donald Trump's initiatives. White House officials had originally told reporters there would be 17 actions...WW…

Biden Turns to Plan B Because Senate Hasn't Confirmed Cabinet Heads Yet : Biden Transition Updates Normally, the Senate confirms a few Cabinet officials before Inauguration Day. But President-elect Joe Biden will need to turn to career civil servants for help because of delays.Former President Barack Obama had six Cabinet members confirmed by the Senate before his Inauguration Day in 2009. President Trump had two. But when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next week, it's unclear whether he'll have any Cabinet members in place. After he won the election, Biden . But between Trump's...…Biden Turns to Plan B Because Senate Hasn't Confirmed Cabinet Heads Yet : Biden Transition Updates Normally, the Senate confirms a few Cabinet officials before Inauguration Day. But President-elect Joe Biden will need to turn to career civil servants for help because of delays.Former President Barack Obama had six Cabinet members confirmed by the Senate before his Inauguration Day in 2009. President Trump had two. But when President-elect Joe Biden takes office next week, it's unclear whether he'll have any Cabinet members in place. After he won the election, Biden . But between Trump's...WW…

2 Iranian Officials Sanctioned Over Robert Levinson Disappearance "It's a very important acknowledgment, probably long overdue," a senior U.S. official tells reporters on a conference call about the sanctions. Former FBI agent Robert Levinson went missing in 2007.The Trump administration sanctioned two Iranian officials over the disappearance and probable death of Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent who went missing in Iran in 2007 during an unauthorized mission for the CIA. The Treasury Department said Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, high-ranking officials with Iran's Ministry of...…2 Iranian Officials Sanctioned Over Robert Levinson Disappearance "It's a very important acknowledgment, probably long overdue," a senior U.S. official tells reporters on a conference call about the sanctions. Former FBI agent Robert Levinson went missing in 2007.The Trump administration sanctioned two Iranian officials over the disappearance and probable death of Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent who went missing in Iran in 2007 during an unauthorized mission for the CIA. The Treasury Department said Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, high-ranking officials with Iran's Ministry of...WW…

Mark Meadows, Trump Chief Of Staff, Tests Positive For Coronavirus Meadows, never far from the president's side, traveled extensively to rallies in the homestretch of the campaign and was with President Trump and his family on election night.Updated 9:15 a.m. ET Mark Meadows, the chief of staff to President Trump, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the latest person in the president's inner circle to catch the virus, which is surging across the country. Meadows was last seen by reporters on election night, when Trump gave a defiant speech to supporters packed into the East Room...…Mark Meadows, Trump Chief Of Staff, Tests Positive For Coronavirus Meadows, never far from the president's side, traveled extensively to rallies in the homestretch of the campaign and was with President Trump and his family on election night.Updated 9:15 a.m. ET Mark Meadows, the chief of staff to President Trump, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the latest person in the president's inner circle to catch the virus, which is surging across the country. Meadows was last seen by reporters on election night, when Trump gave a defiant speech to supporters packed into the East Room...WW…