Senate Democrats consider changes to House virus relief bill
Party leaders hoping to salvage a minimum wage increase have abandoned one proposal aimed at pressuring big companies to boost workers’ pay.
Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs
In Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland, officials have said that for certain weeks in the new year, at least two-thirds of the claims they received were classified as suspicious due to problems verifying identities.
COVID-19 cases rise in Indiana by 736, deaths by 17
The state said more than 565,000 Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sunday. More than 992,000 had received the first dose of a vaccination.
J&J’s one-dose shot cleared, giving U.S. third COVID-19 vaccine
J&J initially is providing a few million doses and shipments to states could begin as early as Monday. By the end of March, J&J has said it expects to deliver 20 million doses to the U.S., and 100 million by summer.
Indiana counts 897 new COVID-19 cases, 27 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose from 781 on Thursday to 800 on Friday. The high mark was 3,460, set on Nov. 30.
House passes $1.9T pandemic bill on near party-line vote
The massive measure heads to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.
Hospitals plead for bailout in face of runaway pandemic bills
U.S. hospitals face up to $122 billion in lost revenue this year as the pandemic continues its rampage, threatening to push more critical-care centers into bankruptcy or out of business entirely.
Here’s what’s in the House’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan
The U.S. House on Friday plans to vote on an $1.9 trillion stimulus package, marking a crucial step toward passage of the White House’s first major piece of legislation.
Democratic leaders explore penalties on businesses paying below $15 an hour
Democrats are searching for a way to revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage as part of the proposed $1.9 trillion package aimed at helping the country rebuild from the pandemic.
March Madness will help restaurants. But how much?
The city will host an unprecedented number of games with the entire tournament being played in Indiana. But the pandemic will limit capacity at both games and restaurants.
Tournament’s economic impact will turn on number of fans who come
Even after the NCAA said Feb. 19 that some spectators will be allowed at the games, local tourism officials and economists are still tempering their financial expectations.
Real estate firm’s bet on senior health care takes painful turn
The past year has been awful for Carmel-based Invesque, as COVID-19 hurt the full gamut of its health care real estate portfolio, from nursing homes and office buildings to memory-care and assisted-living centers.
Review finds Indianapolis police not prepared for May’s downtown protests
The 44-page report, made public Friday, examines the events of May 29 through June 1, when social justice protests took over the streets of downtown Indianapolis following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Indiana reports 33 more COVID-19 deaths, 963 new cases
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dropped from 889 on Wednesday to 781 on Thursday, the lowest number since Sept. 21.
Lilly signs deal to sell $210M worth of COVID-19 antibodies to U.S. government
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker said it will begin shipping the additional doses immediately to the federal government, which controls distribution of the drugs.
Third U.S. vaccine could raise question: Which shots are best?
The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, with a Johnson & Johnson one-dose shot on the edge of FDA approval. Health experts say the best vaccine choice is the one that’s available.
U.S. consumers boost spending 2.4% as income jumps
Friday’s report from the Commerce Department also showed that personal incomes, which provide the fuel for spending, jumped 10% last month, boosted by cash payments most Americans received from the government.
Local tech firm Selfless.ly uses its platform to make sure Hoosiers get COVID vaccine
Indianapolis-based Selfless.ly is using its software to pull together an army of volunteers to help keep COVID-19 vaccination sites humming at optimal speed.
COVID-19 bill must drop minimum wage hike, arbiter decides
The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year because of solid Republican opposition.
Fourth quarter economy better than originally thought, revised up to 4.1%
The 4.1% gain in the gross domestic product—the broadest measure of economic health—is a slight upward revision from 4% growth in the first estimate released a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
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