Trading has been choppy throughout the week as investors weighed a mixed bag of economic data reflecting how the economy is weathering a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Business
Local, state and national business news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Unemployment in Maine holds at just under 5%
However, there are still 22,800 fewer jobs in the state than in February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the economy.
England simplifies COVID-19 travel rules bashed as confusing
Airlines and travel businesses have complained that the country’s complicated and expensive requirements are keeping people away and hampering recovery from the pandemic.
Tom Cruise gets sneak preview from SpaceX’s first private crew
Last year, NASA confirmed it was in talks with the actor about visiting the International Space Station for filming.
Apple, Google remove opposition app as Russian voting begins
Authorities have sought to suppress the use of the Smart Voting app, a strategy designed by imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to curb the dominance of the Kremlin-backed party.
Sotheby’s to auction rare copy of U.S. Constitution
It’s the only one that remains in private hands and has an estimate of $15 million to $20 million.
Thirty-day countdown starts for Maine lobster industry restrictions to protect right whales
A more than 950-square-mile area of the Gulf of Maine will be off limits to traditional lobstering starting Oct. 18.
Maine public sector employees are subject to Biden’s vaccine-or-testing mandate
Maine is among 26 states that have agreements with the federal government that require adoption and enforcement of all OSHA standards.
King, Senate pass proposal for uniform ‘Made in America’ labels
Maine Sen. Angus King and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said a patchwork of state laws was proving costly for businesses.
Unemployed Mainers cite lack of jobs fitting their skills as chief hurdle to returning to work
The Department of Labor also found that the unemployed are worried about COVID and say many available jobs don’t pay well or offer benefits.