Income test for Medicare dental under debate, gets pushback
The so-called “means test” is drawing internal opposition from many Democratic lawmakers, as well as advocacy groups for older people, like AARP.
Associated Press
Articles
Businesses nervously await fine print of federal vax-or-test rule
An obscure White House office is expected to give the green light any day to the rule’s fine print detailing how and when companies will have to require their employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
Biden focuses on climate, families in trimmed $2T plan
The president met privately into the evening with nearly 20 centrist and progressive lawmakers in separate groups as Democrats appeared ready to abandon what had been a loftier $3.5 trillion package for a smaller, more workable proposal.
As Bitcoin goes mainstream, Wall Street looks to cash in
Cryptocurrencies have surged so much that their total value has reached nearly $2.5 trillion, rivaling the world’s most valuable company, Apple, and have amassed more than 200 million users. At that size, it’s simply too big for the financial establishment to ignore.
College towns plan to challenge results of 2020 census
College communities such as Bloomington, Indiana; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and State College, Pennsylvania, are exploring their options for contesting the population counts, which they say do not accurately reflect how many people live there.
Here’s why COVID boosters weren’t tweaked to better match variants
More COVID-19 booster shots may be on the way—but when it’s your turn, you’ll get an extra dose of the original vaccine. And that has some experts wondering if the booster campaign is a bit of a missed opportunity to target delta and its likely descendants.
EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’
PFAS, called “forever chemicals” because they last so long in the environment, have been associated with serious health conditions, including cancer and reduced birth weight.
Toyota planning to build $1.29B U.S. battery plant employing 1,750
The Toyota plant location wasn’t announced, but it will likely be near one of the company’s U.S. assembly plants in Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama or Texas.
Cities seek to loosen rules on spending federal pandemic aid
At issue is $350 billion for states, counties and cities that was part of the massive COVID-19 relief bill signed in March. Under rules developed by the U.S. Treasury Department, some governments have more flexibility than others to spend their share of the money as they want.
Prominent Indiana environmentalist leaving leadership post
Jesse Kharbanda said he plans to keep working to increase environmental awareness, especially regarding the extinction of animal species and the spread of factory farming.
FDA panel endorses booster shot for J&J COVID-19 vaccine
U.S. health advisers endorsed a booster of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine Friday, citing growing worry that Americans who got the single-dose shot aren’t as protected as those given two-dose brands.
Resilient shoppers pushed retail sales up 0.7% in September
Americans continued to spend at a solid clip in September even while facing sticker shock in grocery aisles, car lots and restaurants as snarled global supply chains slow the flow of goods.
FDA panel takes up tough questions on J&J COVID-19 boosters
U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when—and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.
Work starting on 13,000-acre solar farm in two Indiana counties
The $1.5 billion solar farm’s first phase is expected become operational by mid-2023 and will produce 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 75,000 households, according to the company.
Tony Stewart forms Brownsburg-based NHRA team with fiancee
Tony Stewart, who fell in love with National Hot Rod Association racing while tagging along with fiancee Leah Pruett at her races the past two seasons, will be an official part of the sport in 2022.
FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster
The panel of outside advisers to the FDA voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, as well as younger adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk from COVID-19.
Feds warn companies: Fake online reviews could lead to fines
Federal regulators say they are cracking down on “an explosion” of businesses’ use of fake reviews and other misleading messages to promote their products and services on social media.
IMF warns economic recovery threatened by virus, inflation
The International Monetary Fund called Thursday for greater efforts from wealthy nations to boost COVID vaccination rates in poorer countries, while also urging the Federal Reserve and other central banks to respond quickly if current inflation pressures prove not to be transitory.
U.S. unemployment claims fall to lowest level since pandemic
Applications for jobless aid, which generally track the pace of layoffs, have fallen steadily since last spring as many businesses, struggling to fill jobs, have held onto their workers.
Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract offer
More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday, the first major walkout at the agricultural machinery giant in more than three decades.