County health department closing schools to in-person instruction
School boards across the state are meeting to decide how to handle instruction as the state’s COVID-19 related numbers continue to climb.
Samm Quinn
Articles
Indianapolis International Airport absorbs plunge in passengers
Passenger traffic at the airport is expected to be 45% lower in 2020 than last year, but airport leaders say they are confident they can keep the organization’s finances stable.
Rokita declared winner in race to become Indiana’s next attorney general
With 60% of the votes in, Republican Todd Rokita had a 24-point lead over his opponent, Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel.
Q&A: IPS superintendent talks masks, social distancing and educating kids
IBJ reporter Samm Quinn talked with Superintendent Aleesia Johnson about how returning has gone so far and other impacts COVID-19 has had on the state’s largest public school system.
Indy-area foundation unveils strategy for dismantling systemic racism
The Central Indiana Community Foundation, which controls more than $800 million in charitable assets and helps direct the gifts from wealthy donors, laid out plans Wednesday for helping make the Indianapolis and Hamilton County more equitable for all residents.
UPDATE: Hogsett wants more collaboration with doughnut counties in COVID fight
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said Thursday morning that because COVID-19 doesn’t recognize county boundaries, he’s calling on health officials in metropolitan Indianapolis to coordinate on policies and best practices.
Committee gives preliminary OK for $12.25M in TIF bonds for two projects
The projects include a two-building development in Broad Ripple that would serve as the headquarters for the staffing firm Eight Eleven Group.
Marion County clerk extends early voting hours in her office to meet demand
Marion County Clerk Myla Eldridge is extending early voting hours in her office beginning Wednesday as the county tries to accommodate an unprecedented number of voters casting early ballots, leading to hours-long lines.
Employ Indy, Ascend Indiana launch paid high school apprenticeship program
The apprenticeship will enable high school students to attain soft skills, technical skills and relevant work experience in growing, high-demand industries.
Starch manufacturer seeks $2.6M tax break for expansion plans
The company does not plan to add any jobs as it expands operations southwest of downtown, but it will retain 374 employees who earn an average hourly wage of $33.92.
City launches public survey to gauge public interest in reusing BlueIndy sites
The ideas the city received fell into four broad categories: public charging for e-bikes and scooters, public charging for electric vehicles, shared transit services and placemaking.
State reopens rental assistance portal with new stream of funds
Indiana is using $15 million in Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to offer up to six months of rent to Hoosiers who are at high risk of facing homelessness.
JPMorgan Chase to invest $7 million in Indianapolis career readiness initiatives
The funding is part of the firm’s $75 million global commitment to better prepare young people for jobs and a new $30 billion commitment “to advance racial equity and drive an inclusive economic recovery.”
Study finds inequities in lending in majority-Black neighborhoods
Although redlining—discrimination in banking and lending based on someone’s race or where they live—has been illegal since the Fair Housing Act passed in 1968, analysts at Indiana University’s Public Policy Institute found that inequities in home-loan lending still exist.
Lilly, Anthem, other major businesses announce pledge to advance racial equity
The pledge “to hold their organizations accountable for driving measurable progress in advancing racial equity” was signed by numerous major employers and organizations in central Indiana.
Proposal offers city employees early retirement ahead of expected 2022 revenue declines
Of the city-county’s workforce of about 7,000 employees, 724 are eligible for the early-retirement program.
Marian University plans new engineering school with $24 million gift
The Indianapolis university said it was halfway to its $50 million fundraising goal for the school after a $24 million gift from the Witchger family and other donations.
Monarch Beverage Co. to be acquired by Illinois beer distributor
Indianapolis-based Monarch, family-owned and locally operated since 1947, is the state’s largest beer distributor. It has about 600 employees.
City bicentennial celebrations ramp up despite pandemic
The city of Indianapolis is turning 200 and, although the pandemic has altered some plans, celebrations are underway and residents have plenty of opportunities to engage.
City launches $11 million grant fund for hospitality industry
The program, called the Hospitality Establishment Lifeline Program, will provide grants to Marion County bars, restaurants and live entertainment venues that pay food and beverage taxes.