U.S. Congress agrees to expand payroll assistance to local news outlets

Congressional leaders said on Sunday that lawmakers agreed to expand forgivable government loans to additional struggling local news outlets as part of a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the measure would expand eligibility “for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters.”

Thousands of local newspapers, TV and radio stations had been ineligible for the initial “Paycheck Protection Program” approved by Congress in March because they were owned by larger parent companies.

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