US economy sending mixed signals: Here’s what it all means
Here’s a closer look at the economy’s vital signs at a perplexing time of high interest rates, still-punishing inflation and surprisingly strong economic gains.
Associated Press
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IndyCar showcasing veterans, fresh faces in new season’s crowded field
IndyCar finally has its own television program, a refocused marketing plan, aggressive sustainability efforts and a whopping 27 full-time entrants as the season begins this weekend in Florida.
Conservative justices question Biden student loan forgiveness plan
In questioning on Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts pointed to the wide impact and expense of the program, which is estimated to cost $400 billion over 30 years.
Sports betting grows on campuses with few restrictions
A survey of 145 Division I public universities in the states where sports betting is legal found that only 23% had published sports betting policies. Purdue University is one of them.
Indiana landfill will take waste shipments from Ohio toxic train derailment
The EPA now is getting close to having enough certified facilities to take all of the waste from the site of the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, said Debra Shore, a regional administrator with the agency.
White House: No more TikTok on gov’t devices within 30 days
Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to consumer agency
It’s the second time in three years that the justices will be examining the federal agency, which was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
‘Dilbert,’ Scott Adams lose distributor over racist remarks
Dozens of newspapers have said they would cease to publish “Dilbert.” The strip, which lampoons office culture, first appeared in 1989.
Survey: Business economists push back US recession forecasts
A third of the economists who responded to the survey now expect a recession to begin in the April-June quarter. One-fifth think it will start in the July-September quarter.
Millions who rely on Medicaid might be booted from program
As states begin checking everyone’s eligibility for Medicaid for the first time in three years, as many as 14 million people could lose access to that coverage.
Indiana lawmakers discard illegal immigrant driving cards proposal
A state Senate committee had endorsed the bill in early February but it failed to advance through another committee before a deadline this week for action.
Key U.S. inflation measure surges at fastest rate since June
January’s price data exceeded forecasters’ expectations, confounding hopes that inflation was steadily decelerating and that the Fed could relent on its campaign of rate hikes.
U.S. ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID
Nearly 30 million Americans who got extra government help with grocery bills during the pandemic will soon see that aid shrink—and there’s a big push to make sure they’re not surprised.
Humana lays out exit from employer-sponsored coverage
Enrollment growth in employer-sponsored insurance has stagnated for many years for insurers, including market leaders like UnitedHealthcare and Indianapolis-based Elevance Health Inc.
IndyCar to use sustainable tires made from desert shrub
The tires will make their season debut in next week’s opener on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
U.S. revises down last quarter’s economic growth to 2.7% rate
Thursday’s report revised down the government’s estimate of consumer spending growth in the October-December quarter. Business spending also slowed in the fourth quarter, suggesting that the economy lost momentum at the end of 2022.
Indiana lawmakers back defunding Kinsey sex institute
The Indiana House voted 53-34 to block state funding toward the Kinsey Institute, which has long faced criticism from conservatives
Stellantis announces profit-sharing bonuses, increased earnings
Stellantis employs about 7,000 people at plants in Kokomo and Tipton in Indiana.
Republicans back bill for tighter Indiana mail voting rules
Indiana voters would have to submit more identification information to obtain mail-in election ballots under a bill Republicans are advancing through the state Legislature.
Indiana lawmakers advance ban on gender-transition procedures for minors
The bill, which moves to the full state Senate, would ban all gender-transition care for Indiana minors. That care could range from taking puberty blockers and hormone therapy to social transition at schools.