State, city government freeze hiring—but haven’t furloughed employees—as budgets tighten
State and local government budgets are expected to be hit hard as a result of restaurants, retailers and other businesses being closed for weeks.
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Michigan’s stay-home order extended through May 15
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday lengthened her stay-at-home order, while lifting restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in outdoor activities such as golf and motorized boating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gig workers, self-employed still waiting for jobless aid approval
There are many more filings for jobless aid to come, including millions of independent contractors, gig workers and the self-employed. Most states have not begun approving applications from these pools of newly eligible people.
$310B for small business loans likely spoken for, banks say
Banking industry groups say the volume of applications already sent to the Small Business Administration makes it likely that much, if not all, the new money will go to those already in the queue.
USA Track defends CEO’s $4.2 million 2018 compensation package
Less than a week after laying off more than 10% of its staff, Indianapolis-based USA Track & Field released tax records Wednesday that showed compensation figures for CEO Max Siegel.
IU Health sees operating income plunge 49% due to COVID-19 outbreak
The number of surgeries and inpatient discharges fell by more than 7% as Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all hospitals to delay non-essential and elective surgeries and procedures.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate tested for COVID-19
Woody Myers, a former state health commissioner and Anthem Inc. executive, said he thinks the state needs to ramp up testing significantly before considering re-opening the economy.
State, Fairbanks school partner to determine spread of virus in Indiana
Indiana is expected to be one of the first states to perform such a study, Gov. Eric Holcomb said when it was announced during a Thursday press briefing.
Government puts pressure on public companies to return loans
The Small Business Administration issued an advisory Thursday clearly aimed at companies like restaurant chains Ruths’ Chris Steak House and Potbelly that received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program.
Fishers mayor proposes city-level health department, free COVID-19 testing for residents
The Fishers City Council will convene an emergency meeting Friday to potentially create a city health department and spend $2 million to offer free and widespread COVID-19 testing for residents.
Marion County opening community testing site for vulnerable populations
The county health department will perform the tests on high-risk and symptomatic community members and those working on the front lines, especially in the food industry.
Black Expo calls off in-person Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic events
Organizers say they are planning to provide some events digitally. Officials said they are particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect the coronavirus is having on African Americans.
State reports highest number of COVID-19 cases since Friday
The Indiana State Department of Health said Thursday that the cumulative death toll in the state rose to 706, up from 661 the previous day—an increase of 45.
Chamber survey finds 80% of respondents suffering revenue loss
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce said it used responses from business leaders to help it make recommendations to the governor for how to reopen the economy.
Legal battles loom as businesses hit by virus sue insurers
What’s at stake could be the survival of thousands of businesses if insurers don’t pay and the insolvency of big-name insurance companies if they do.
Another 75,483 Hoosiers file initial unemployment claims
More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down, the government said Thursday.
Mysterious blood-clotting complication killing coronavirus patients
Increasingly, doctors are reporting bizarre, unsettling cases that don’t seem to follow any of the textbooks they’ve trained on. The concern is so acute some doctor groups have raised the controversial possibility of giving preventive blood thinners to everyone with COVID-19.
Purdue student files lawsuit against university over its pandemic response
The complaint is one of several that New York-based law firm Milberg Phillips Grossman LLP has filed on behalf of college students across the country who are now receiving a much different college experience than they expected. The suit is seeking class-action status.
Local nursing home under inspection after two employees die from COVID-19
State officials have reported 1,568 positive cases of COVID-19 at 199 long-term care facilities in Indiana and 162 deaths at 74 facilities.
Publicly traded firms, including 3 in Indiana, getting $365M in small-biz rescue loans
The recipients included Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications ($4.8 million), the Terre Haute-based coal mining company Hallador Energy ($10 million) and the Evansville-based sporting goods maker Escalade Inc. ($5.6 million).