Initial unemployment claims fall nationally, jump in Indiana
A total of 162,009 people were receiving unemployment benefits in Indiana as of Sept. 5, the Labor Department said Thursday morning. That was up from 158,742 the previous week.
Bryan Fonseca, founder of the Phoenix Theatre, dies from coronavirus complications
Fonseca, who had been the creative force behind the Phoenix for 35 years, left in 2018 and founded the Fonseca Theatre Co. on the city’s near-west side.
Central Indiana existing-home sales rise for second straight month
Sales of existing single-family homes rose in central Indiana in August despite a huge decline in available houses and another record in prices.
Big Ten’s cardiac registry aims to study effects of COVID-19
Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, was among concerns cited by the Big Ten in August when it planned to postpone football until spring.
City announces plan for remaining $76M in pandemic relief funds
In a plan approved Wednesday by the City-County Council, Indianapolis will appropriate its remaining federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to various public health, social services, economic and government-related investments.
NCAA basketball season set to open day before Thanksgiving
The Division I Council voted Wednesday to delay the start date from the originally scheduled Nov. 10 as one of several precautions against the spread of coronavirus.
Indiana to begin next round of local road grants after pandemic-related pause
The state’s Community Crossings grant program has awarded more than $730 million to projects in all 92 counties over the past four years.
Report finds global economic outlook not as bad as expected
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development also upgraded its forecast for the U.S. economy, anticipating a contraction of 3.8% this year instead of a plunge of 7.3% forecast previously.
Federal Reserve sees rates near zero at least through 2023
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the economic outlook still remains highly uncertain and depends heavily on the ability of the U.S. to get control of the pandemic.
UPDATE: Health officials reduce Indy Eleven capacity to 2,500 following IBJ story
The county health department said it was reducing the soccer team’s capacity at Lucas Oil Stadium to match what will be allowed at this weekend’s Colts game.
Indiana reports lowest number of COVID-19 cases since Sept. 8
The state on Wednesday also reported 12 new deaths from COVID-19, raising the cumulative total to 3,247. The department has reported 75 new deaths over the past week, compared with 67 the previous week.
U.S. outlines sweeping plan to provide free COVID-19 vaccines
In a report to Congress and an accompanying “playbook” for states and localities, federal health agencies and the Defense Department sketched out complex plans for a vaccination campaign to begin gradually in January or even later this year.
Study hints Lilly antibody drug might cut COVID-19 hospitalizations
Wednesday’s results come from 450 people in a mid-stage study testing an antibody jointly developed by Lilly and the Canadian company AbCellera in people with COVID-19 symptoms not severe enough to warrant hospitalization.
UPDATE: Big Ten aims for late-October start to football, but without spectators
All 14 teams are expected to play eight regular-season games in eight weeks, plus have an opportunity to play a ninth game, possibly on Dec. 19, with a conference championship game in Indianapolis—if all goes well.
FedEx’s profit explodes as residential deliveries soar
Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer at FedEx, said the company achieved “the growth that we expected to see over a period of three to five years … in a period of three to five months.”
Senators debate antitrust exemption for NCAA over athlete pay
The NCAA is working to change its rules restricting athletes from earning money for things such as endorsements, in-person appearances and social media posts.
IPS plans staggered in-person return in October after cautious online start
The plan is based on improved coronavirus data in Marion County. The city’s average positivity rate—the percentage of people who test positive for the coronavirus—has hovered near 5% for several weeks, according to state data.
Indiana requests to borrow $300M from federal government for jobless benefits
Indiana Department of Workforce Development chief of staff Josh Richardson said the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund is expected to run dry by the end of September.
Experts worry as U.S. virus restrictions are eased or violated
While some Americans might see such the lifting of restrictions as a welcome step closer to normal, public health experts warn the U.S. is setting itself up for failure—again.
Pelosi: House to stay in session until COVID-19 rescue pact reached
Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s comments came as moderate Democrats, many from areas won by President Donald Trump four years ago, signed on to a $1.5 trillion rescue package endorsed by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
[email protected] State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana