At Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia, workers are regularly reminded of the risk they take while working during a pandemic. Employees at the Fairmount store get their temperature checked before each shift and must wear face masks at work. They receive text alerts when colleagues get sick with the coronavirus. The grocery chain recently gave them T-shirts that say “Hero” on the front and call them “Hard Core” on the back. But the extra money they had been receiving during the pandemic went...

The U.S. economy added 2.5 million jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell to 13.3%, a surprising gain in the nation’s jobs market after the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The improvements came as states lifted orders that shut down businesses to slow the spread of the virus. In May, employment rose sharply in leisure and hospitality, construction, education and health services, and retail trade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The month’s job gains...

Comcast has struck a deal to carry media mogul Byron Allen’s channels on its cable systems, ending a contentious business dispute and racial discrimination case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The agreement, which allows Comcast to carry the Weather Channel and other networks owned by Allen, comes more than two months after the Supreme Court unanimously sided with Comcast in a high-stakes civil rights case. The deal also comes amid nationwide protests over racial injustice...

Wawa’s food ordering touchscreens have become a familiar part of life in Philadelphia, with customers taking turns to tap the devices and order hoagies. “There is this underlying emotional, physical reaction now to touching stuff,” said Munir Mandviwalla, a Temple professor of management information systems. “The longer this goes on the more I think people will be afraid of touching things.” Still, industry leaders and experts say the touchscreens aren’t going away. Instead, they will likely...

Comcast will continue to offer 60 days of free internet service for new low-income customers, as the coronavirus pandemic drags on and forces consumers to study and work from home. The Philadelphia cable giant is extending the broadband offering through the end of the year. It was initially set to expire June 30. The company cited schools possibly relying on remote learning when they reopen in the fall. The 60 days of free service are for customers who sign up for Comcast’s low-income...