Indiana reports another 1,529 COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 1,541 on Wednesday to 1,446 on Thursday, the lowest number since Oct. 20.
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Biden, House Democrats put $1.9T relief plan on fast track
The Senate early Friday approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle the relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.
Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid
Overall, the nation’s nearly 200 dioceses and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion. That makes the Roman Catholic Church perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the Paycheck Protection Program
J&J asks U.S. regulators to OK its one-shot COVID-19 vaccine
J&J’s vaccine was safe and offered strong protection against moderate to severe COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a massive international study.
Solid company earnings send stock indexes higher
The S&P 500 rose 1.1%, to a record high. A measure of small-company stocks rose twice as much, a bullish signal that investors are feeling more optimistic about the economy.
Pandemic claims Broad Ripple Art Fair for second straight year
The Broad Ripple Art Fair is a major annual fundraiser for the Indianapolis Art Center, which estimated it lost $350,000, about 10% of its annual income, from the cancellation of 2020 event.
Indiana’s COVID-19 death toll rises past 11,000
The Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday added 1,507 historical deaths to the cumulative COVID-19 death total, increasing it to 11,231. The department said those deaths were identified through an audit of 2020 and 2021 death records and test results.
Keeping it simple helps some states race ahead with COVID vaccine rollouts
The nation’s states are all pushing to deliver a potentially lifesaving defense against the novel coronavirus to millions of arms. But some states are having far more success than others.
At a few Indianapolis schools, pandemic caused huge drops in graduation rates
At three Indianapolis high schools, leaders say that the challenges of the pandemic contributed to double-digit drops in graduation rates, as students struggled to complete school remotely or left school to get jobs.
Study finds COVID-19 vaccine might reduce virus transmission
The research could also bring scientists closer to an answer to one of the big questions about the vaccination drive: Will the vaccines actually curb the spread of the coronavirus?
Businesses face hard decisions on whether, when to hire
Owners are hesitant to make hiring commitments because it’s unclear not only when the pandemic will end, but whether they’ll have enough revenue to justify bringing employees on.
Indiana holding firm to vaccination by age group, not occupation
Pressure has been mounting to offer vaccines to teachers and other essential workers, but the state has been offering vaccines to people by age group, in descending order, with the goal of vaccinating the most elderly and vulnerable first.
U.S. hiring could rebound faster than you might expect
A hopeful view is gaining steam that, as vaccinations reach a critical mass in the United States, perhaps around midyear, the economy and the job market will strengthen much faster than they did after previous recessions.
COVID-19 cases in Indiana tick down again
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 36 new deaths due to the coronavirus. Reported deaths due to COVID-19 have exceeded single digits in 114 of the past 115 days.
Biden, Yellen pan GOP virus aid proposal as too small, urge action
While no compromise was reached during the lengthy session, President Biden’s first with lawmakers at the White House, talks are privately underway on various alternatives.
Feds to start sending COVID vaccine to pharmacies next week
When fully deployed, the pharmacy partnership will enlist about 40,000 drug stores nationwide, or roughly six times as many locations as are participating in the initial launch.
Indiana COVID-19 cases fall again; another 65 deaths reported
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 ticked up from 1,594 on Sunday to 1,624 on Monday, the second straight day of increases.
Indiana lawmakers discuss doubling cigarette tax rate
House Bill 1485, authored by Republican Rep. Julie Olthoff of Hebron, would increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack and tax e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
Indiana reports 1,733 new COVID-19 cases, 16 more deaths
The state’s cumulative death toll from COVID-19 increased by 1,597 in January, the second-highest monthly increase behind December’s rise of 2,418.
Congressional Budget Office projects 4.6% growth in 2021
The CBO cautioned that its projections are highly uncertain, in large part because of the pace of the vaccination and the risk of new variations of the coronavirus.