MAY 1-7, 2020
The novel coronavirus has much of our attention for the time being, but there are more high-stakes decisions to make on the horizon. Republican Congresswoman Susan Brooks isn't seeking reelection this year, which has led to a deluge of candidates in the 5th District. Fifteen of them are in the GOP, and Lindsey Erdody has profiled each one while also outlining what is so different about this year's election. (The Democrats are next week.) Also in this week's issue, John Russell delves into the growing effort to beat back the coronavirus by tracing the personal contacts of people who have tested positive. And Samm Quinn explores the mounting crisis of unpaid apartment rent as millions of Hoosier file for initial unemployment benefits every week.
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Contact tracing is state’s new weapon in COVID war
Across Indiana, local health departments have been scrambling to keep up with the job of tracking, one patient at a time, the spread of the virus that has already claimed the lives of more than 900 Hoosiers.
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Huge field of Republicans lines up in 5th Congressional District primary
When GOP congresswoman Susan Brooks announced in June that she wouldn’t seek reelection this year, a window of opportunity opened for eager Republicans across Indiana’s 5th District.
Read MoreMoratorium to protect tenants from eviction—for now
Advocates agree that the federal and state moratoriums are helpful, but say renters will need more help long term. Even one missed rent payment can put low-income residents so far behind they can’t recover.
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Empty venues won’t kill Pacers, Colts profits; Indians, Eleven will struggle
NBA and NFL teams will face a considerable financial hit if they are forced to play with no fans in the stands, but, thanks to their lucrative TV contracts, it won’t knock them into the red.
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Steak n Shake outlook goes from bad to much worse
Rating agencies, which already ranked Steak n Shake on the lowest rungs of their creditworthiness ladders, further sounded the alarm bells in recent weeks after Steak n Shake paid off some of its debt at a discount—something a lender never would agree to if it thought it was going to be paid in full.
Read MoreQ&A: Interpreter brings signs of trying times to Hoosiers
If you’ve been tuning in to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s daily press briefings to hear updates on the coronavirus pandemic, you might have noticed Andy Rork in the corner of your screen.
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Developer planning 37 single-family homes on near-north side
Indianapolis-based BWI LLC plans to spend $10 million to create the one- and two-story homes, which low- to moderate-income residents could rent to own.
Read MoreState school districts seeking referendums in June face higher stakes, steeper challenges
Around the state, school finance experts are unsure what the coronavirus will mean for new property tax referendums to fund local schools. Fourteen districts are expected to put a referendum on the ballot in the primary.
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Patachou cooking up burger-and-fries concept while ramping up carryout for existing eateries
Apocalypse Burger—a name that came to Patachou founder Martha Hoover during a recent Sunday night Zoom call with family—would be based in the former location of the chain’s Crispy Bird eatery.
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Delta suspends Indy-to-Paris flight until at least next year amid pandemic
During its recent first quarter financial results call, Delta Air Lines announced reductions of 80% in U.S. domestic capacity and 90% international capacity.
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The pandemic has forced lots of business owners to renegotiate leases, contracts. Here’s how to do it.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to approach negotiations, whether for a vendor contract, a lease or with a customer. The first step is determining where you stand.
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Editorial: Bigger firms taking undue heat for receiving paycheck loans
A better target for attack would be Congress, for crafting a program that let so many larger businesses in the door.
Read MoreNATE FELTMAN: Daniels leads Purdue with data, innovation
The former governor’s approach to reopening the university’s main campus balances caution with the need to get back to business.
Read MoreSheila Kennedy: Constitutional tax caps limit governments’ response
When Daniels and the Republicans in the Statehouse told Hoosier voters they were “protecting taxpayers” by putting tax caps in the state’s constitution, objections by mayors and warnings by fiscal and tax policy experts were pooh-poohed. Politics won. Prudent and informed policy lost.
Read MoreMark Rosentraub: A hopeful (and realistic) plan for college sports
Going without college sports pales in comparison to the sacrifices made at hospitals every day, but the absence of normalcy weighs on everyone.
Read MoreKIM: Dreams of Beverly Hills crushed as oil crashes below zero
Passively “managed” products can be fine, as long as they are just following prices in whatever market they are tracking. However, if they become big enough that they become the market and are the one setting prices, it’s dangerous.
Read MoreGarrett Mintz: Your engagement numbers don’t mean anything
Engagement has clearly shown a correlation to greater productivity and workplace happiness, but how accurate is our method for measuring workplace engagement? There are better ways.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Ultimately, consumers are key to reopening economy
The economic notion of compensating-wage distinctions goes back to Adam Smith, who stated the “wages of labour vary with the ease or hardship, the cleanliness or dirtiness … of the employment.”
Read MoreLetter: Bipartisan approach to civic health
Perhaps 2020 will be the year in which Indiana’s daunting public health challenges bring a bipartisan focus to our civic health challenges, too.
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New Fishers health department to redirect money usually pegged for county
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and other members of the city’s emergency incident response team identified free COVID-19 testing for residents as a function of the new health department.
Read MoreMultimillion-dollar verdict for Herff Jones survives challenge from rival Jostens
The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a trial court’s decision in favor of Indianapolis-based Herff Jones in a lawsuit that accused Jostens of stealing trade secrets.
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Dunn Hospitality planning 145-room hotel in $60M development in Fishers
Evansville-based Dunn Hospitality Group is planning to build a $20 million Courtyard by Marriott near Interstate 69 and 116th Street in Fishers by the end of 2021.
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Huge field of Republicans lines up in 5th Congressional District primary
When GOP congresswoman Susan Brooks announced in June that she wouldn’t seek reelection this year, a window of opportunity opened for eager Republicans across Indiana’s 5th District.
Read MoreMicah Beckwith
Micah Beckwith regularly shoots Facebook Live videos talking about his political concerns. One common theme—he’s worried about government taking freedoms away from citizens.
Read MoreAndrew Bales
Andrew Bales, a retired teacher and army veteran, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreKent Abernathy
Kent Abernathy has several times in his life felt the need to serve his country. Running for Congress is just the latest example.
Read MoreAllen Davidson
Allen Davidson, a highway engineer, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreCarl Brizzi
Carl Brizzi says he’s worried about people losing the ability to share their opinions freely, and that, if people can’t have thoughtful, honest discussions, everyone will end up in echo chambers.
Read MoreDanny Niederberger
Danny Niederberger, an accountant, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreRussell Stwalley
Russell Stwalley, a pizza-doughmaker, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreDr. Chuck Dietzen
Dr. Chuck Dietzen says his experience growing up with a wide variety of foster siblings helped spur his global vision for health care.
Read MoreMatthew Hook
Matthew Hook, a retired accountant, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreMatthew Hullinger
Matthew Hullinger, a college student, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreKelly Mitchell
Kelly Mitchell loves her job as state treasurer, but says she’s worried about the future of the country, so she decided to run for Congress.
Read MoreMark Small
Mark Small, an attorney, is a candidate in the Republican primary in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District.
Read MoreBeth Henderson
As a kid, Beth Henderson loved horses, so maybe it’s appropriate that the horses she owns now with her husband have become the best-known parts of her campaign for Congress.
Read MoreVictoria Spartz
Victoria Spartz never wanted to work for the government. But she became frustrated with government regulations, so she got involved with the Republican Party to do something about it.
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MARK MONTIETH: Rainbow-colored robes and orange jerseys
Evansville basketball was known for more than its national titles.
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