Americans cut back on spending in December for the third-straight month as a surge in virus cases kept people away from stores during the critical holiday shopping season.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Sunday accepted the resignation of Minsk’ archbishop who had been blocked for months by Belarusian authorities from returning to his homeland after criticizing a crackdown on anti-government protesters there.

Eva Roberts opened her bakery Just American Desserts in Spokane Valley in 1986, and it’s safe to say in her 34 years as a small-business owner, 2020 has been one of the most memorable. Despite the pandemic, business has been strong for the diversified Just American Desserts, for which Roberts is very thankful (“We’ve been very lucky during the pandemic,” she said).

Eva Roberts opened her bakery Just American Desserts in Spokane Valley in 1986, and it’s safe to say in her 34 years as a small-business owner, 2020 has been one of the most memorable. Despite the pandemic, business has been strong for the diversified Just American Desserts, for which Roberts is very thankful (“We’ve been very lucky during the pandemic,” she said).

Being the last holiday of this year in quarantine and more adult-oriented anyway, it can be tough to think of ways to celebrate this New Year’s Eve at home with the family. However, if you harness a bit of creativity and teamwork, New Year’s Eve can be transformed into a fun family send-off for 2020.

Hard-hit California eclipsed 2 million coronavirus cases on Christmas Eve as the U.S. headed into a holiday season of travel and family gatherings that threaten to fuel the deadly crisis across the nation.

A huge surge in online shopping during the pandemic has been a savior for retailers, but it comes at a price.

Hundreds of seniors to receive delivered Christmas meals as need is greater than ever.

The most anticipated new year is upon us. One way you can greet it is to refresh your space so that it better serves your upcoming goals and aspirations. Although most are crossing their fingers to not spend as much time at home in the coming year, this year has been a lesson in how our space and how we operate within it can affect our lives. With that and New Year’s resolutions in mind, here are a few ways to get started in making your space more functional, enjoyable and intentional.

Since the pandemic began, Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels has added about 200 seniors to its routes dropping off hot, freshly cooked meals.

Millions of Americans are traveling ahead of Christmas and New Year’s, despite pleas from public health experts that they stay home to avoid fueling the raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 320,000 nationwide.

Chances are high you and your family have a list of must-watch holiday films. You might watch one or two a week beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe you watch as many Hallmark movies as you can each year, or perhaps you turn the television to TBS and watch the 24-hour "A Christmas Story" marathon.

If you need to spark a little conversation with your family or friends this holiday weekend, and are brave enough to spur a bit of friendly competition, try your hand at Christmas trivia. Use these questions and make a few of your own if you like. Winner takes the presents.

There is still time to sneak in a few Christmas movies before the holiday is upon us. Here are a few offbeat, entertaining and informative recommendations to add to your holiday viewing. Stream them for free at Kanopy.com. All you need to register for an account is a local library card.

I was only 7 years old when I realized that there was no Santa Claus. After I rattled off a list of cool presents – a new baseball glove, a bike and a little brother – to St. Nick, I followed my mother around the corner where she was paying a bill at the grand Lit Brothers department store in downtown Philadelphia.

BERLIN — A growing list of European Union nations and Canada barred travel from the U.K. on Sunday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from spreading to the continent.

WASHINGTON – As COVID-19 cases skyrocketed before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus response, warned Americans to “be vigilant” and limit celebrations to “your immediate household.”

SAN RAMON, Calif. – More than 1 million people have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints in each of the past two days in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored, despite an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

We asked The Spokesman-Review readers to tell us about their favorite holiday lights displays, and here is what they’ve shared with us so far. Do you have a favorite holiday lights display that’s missing from our list? Go to spokesman.com/maps/holiday-lights-2020 to enter an address. While you’re there, you can plot your own holiday lights tour.