Report shows small biz aid went beyond the hardest-hit
(World News Science)

By Christopher Rugaber and Joyce M. Rosenberg | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The government on Monday identified roughly 650,000 mostly small businesses and nonprofits that received taxpayer money from a program that likely helped prevent the job market meltdown from growing worse but that also benefited some politically connected firms. Recipients covered a broad swath of industries, with some that were less directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as manufacturing and construction, receiving a greater proportion of the loans than the hard-hit restaurant, bar and hotel industries. Many law firms and private equity companies also obtained loans. Businesses owned by politicians...