Massive genetic study shows coronavirus mutating amid rapid U.S. spread
The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, appears to be the largest single aggregation of genetic sequences of the virus in the United States.
Public Health
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City sports officials offer to create basketball bubble for interested schools
Indiana Sports Corp. released a 16-page proposal Friday that calls for turning the convention center’s exhibition halls and meeting rooms into basketball courts and locker rooms. There would be expansive safety measures and daily virus testing.
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USDA plans additional $14 billion for farmers reeling from virus
The federal government said Friday that it will give farmers the additional payments to compensate them for the difficulties they have experienced selling their crops, milk and meat because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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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.
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Crowd-limit disparity for Colts, Eleven home games raises questions
The Indianapolis Colts will be limited to 2,500 spectators at Sunday’s home football opener at Lucas Oil Stadium even though crowds for Indy Eleven soccer games at the venue have regularly doubled that figure since early July.
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Articles
Service-sector workers say jobs complicated by social distancing, masks
The pandemic that has ravaged the service industry and cost millions of jobs is changing the nature of customer-facing work at stores, spas, restaurants, barbershops and other service sector jobs.
Powell faces lawmakers’ skepticism on some Fed aid programs
Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday defended the Federal Reserve’s efforts to support the economy during the pandemic-induced recession from assertions that its programs bungled aspects of its response.
Americans loading up on Halloween candy—trick or treat or not
That enthusiasm is good news for candy companies, which rely on the 10-week Halloween period for nearly 14% of their annual $36 billion in U.S. sales.
Wall Street closes sharply lower as tech sector takes hit
The selling, which accelerated in the afternoon, was widespread, though technology stocks accounted for the biggest losses. The decline deepens the benchmark index’s September slide to 7.5% after a five-month rally.
Single-dose vaccine tested as U.S. experts say corners aren’t being cut
Top U.S. health officials sought Wednesday to assure a skeptical Congress and public that they can trust any shots the government ultimately approves.
Holcomb moving Indiana to Stage 5 of recovery plan, but extends mask mandate
Stage 5 of the Back on Track recovery plan essentially lifts all restrictions, except for some social distancing requirements and regulatory conditions on larger crowds. The state has been in Stage 4.5 since July 1.
State tweaking requirements for small business pandemic-relief program
The state has seen a lower-than-expected response to its Small Business Restart Fund, which it launched in June to help companies with fewer than 50 employees cover the costs of pandemic-related expenses.
Top CEOs call for coronavirus stimulus to keep economy from backsliding
More than a third of the group—whose members include the CEOs of Apple, Chevron and JPMorgan Chase—expect economic conditions to remain bumpy until 2022 or later.
State reports another 728 COVID-19 cases, 10 more deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported the testing of 7,509 more unique individuals. The cumulative positivity rate for unique individuals remained at 8.6%.
Bar owners sue city, health department over ‘arbitrary and unreasonable’ pandemic rules
The owners of 20 Marion County bars and nightclubs are suing Indianapolis, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Dr. Virginia Caine and the Marion County Public Health Department over COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that they say violate their constitutional rights.
Wall Street steadies itself, halting four-day losing streak
Tuesday’s market rebound has been the exception this month. Wall Street has suddenly lost momentum in September following months of powerful gains that returned the S&P 500 to a record.
Airline industry pleads for mandatory virus tests to prop up demand
While the call for testing isn’t new, the outlook has turned increasingly grim for airlines taking stock of a disappointing summer with rising infection rates and restrictions dashing hopes for a recovery.
FDA to announce tougher standards for COVID-19 vaccine, likely delaying approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected tighten a standard for an emergency authorization of a coronavirus vaccine as soon as this week that will make it exceedingly difficult for any vaccine to be cleared before Election Day.
Plasma treatment trials expanded by U.S. to show safety, benefit
Two human studies of convalescent plasma, a component of blood taken from recovered coronavirus patients, will enroll more patient at hospitals and clinics across the country.
Notre Dame-Wake Forest football game postponed after Irish positive tests
The game is the 18th involving major college football teams to be postponed or canceled by COVID-19 issues since Aug. 26.
Powell, Mnuchin voice optimism but back more economic aid
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed cautious optimism Tuesday that the U.S. economy is rebounding, but stressed that major sectors of the economy were still suffering.
House Democrats hope to pass funding bill to avert shutdown
A mini-furor over farm subsidies is threatening to delay passage of the measure. It ignited when Democratic leaders left out a key provision for farmers. Democrats from farm country are reluctant to approve the measure without the GOP-backed provision.
Indiana reports 652 more COVID-19 cases; U.S. death toll passes 200,000
The Indiana State Department of Health on Tuesday reported the testing of 6,977 more unique individuals. The cumulative positivity rate remained at 8.6%.
Survey: More than 40% of Indiana restaurant operators fear viability
More than four out of 10 restaurant operators in Indiana say it is unlikely they will still be in business six months from now if current business conditions continue, according to survey released Tuesday by the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association.