Southwest, American tighten mask rules; Delta widens testing
The moves come as airlines try to reassure passengers and their own employees about safety during a pandemic that has made many people afraid to fly.
Lawmakers start debating possibilities for a virtual or hybrid 2020 legislative session
At issue is how to meet obligations under the Indiana Constitution that lawmakers hold a session in 2021—and meet at the capitol building—as well as the need to let the public participate in the process.
State reports all-time daily high in new COVID-19 cases
The previous daily high for cases in Indiana was was 946 on April 27—a number that included more than 400 cases in Cass County stemming from an outbreak at a meat-processing plant.
Two senators who asked for AG opinion say they won’t sue to stop Holcomb’s mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion—requested by five Republican senators—that state law doesn’t give the governor specific authority to require face coverings or to create penalties for failing to wear a mask. The opinion came just a few hours after Holcomb said a statewide mask mandate would take effect on Monday.
Women’s apparel giant that includes Ann Taylor files for bankruptcy
The company says it intends to close all of its Catherines stores, a “significant number” of Justice stores and a select number of Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey stores.
White House warns Indianapolis, 10 other cities to take ‘aggressive’ action against COVID-19
Dr. Deborah Birx, a leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, warned state and local leaders in a private phone call Wednesday that 11 major cities—including Indianapolis—are seeing increases in the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19.
Amid national rise, Indiana reports big decrease in initial jobless claims
The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March, but Indiana saw a major decline in claims.
White House rolls out $5B help package for nursing homes as COVID-19 surges
Fearing another grim wave of nursing home deaths as COVID-19 cases rebound, President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his administration will provide $5 billion to help facilities counter the virus.
NCAA football oversight committee asks board for time on fall sports
The NCAA football oversight committee is asking the association’s Board of Governors to avoid making a decision soon on whether to conduct fall championships, “so that conferences and schools may have ample latitude to continue to evaluate the viability of playing football this fall.”
Attorney General: Holcomb has no authority to enforce statewide mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion Wednesday night that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb should call a special session if he wants to make masks a requirement.
East-side Indy nursing home tops statewide list of resident deaths from COVID-19
More than 43 long-term care facilities around the state have seen 10 residents or more die from the disease. State health officials released a breakdown by facility on Wednesday.
COVID-19 cases, deaths in Indiana nursing homes higher than previously reported
Data the state has been compiling from nursing homes for a new public dashboard has shown more positive cases and deaths in residents and staff than previously known.
As restaurants endure economic losses, others feel pain, too
The damage extends beyond darkened kitchens and dining rooms to the farms and wineries that supply them and the shopping centers that have grown to depend on restaurants as anchors to replace now-vanished stores that couldn’t compete with Amazon and Walmart.
College Football Playoff Foundation contributes $800,000 to Indiana eLearning lab
The lab was announced several months ago as a project by the Indianapolis eLearning Fund, which was formed to support teachers in Indianapolis as they transitioned to eLearning. The fund contributed $1.6 million to developing the lab, which is now up and running.
UPDATE: Holcomb to mandate mask usage statewide
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he would pass a statewide mask mandate because of a recent rise in the COVID-19 positivity rate.
U.S. labs struggle to keep up amid COVID-19 testing surge
Public health experts have called on states to publicly report testing turnaround times, calling it an essential metric to measure progress against the virus.
Payroll tax cut weighs on Senate GOP as it tries to complete $1T coronavirus plan
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other administration officials insist that they must act by the end of next week because enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire for millions of Americans at the end of July.
Kite Realty sues Oceanaire, Mattress Firm over rent disputes
In both of the suits, Indianapolis-based Kite claims that the retail tenants are in default on their leases because they didn’t pay rent in April, May or June.
Indiana’s COVID-19 numbers rise by 757 cases, 14 deaths
Worldwide COVID-19 cases have now topped 15 million, according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University.
Parents with means are hiring teachers, creating ‘pods’ for their kids
Fed up with remote education, parents who can pay have a new plan for fall: import teachers to their homes.
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