COVID-19 concerns prompt Indianapolis library restrictions
Starting on Dec. 21, the Indianapolis Public Library’s branches will restrict in-person services to curbside pickup and limited computer use. Browsing for books won’t be permitted.
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States will start getting COVID-19 vaccine Monday
The state of Indiana is set to receive more than 55,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers next week, with the initial doses going to five pilot hospitals. By the end of next week, additional doses are expected at a total of 50 hospitals throughout the state.
FDA authorizes first COVID-19 vaccine in bid to end surging pandemic
The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
White House threatens FDA chief’s job over vaccine approval
Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to be issued on an emergency basis, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said.
Study: Drug combo with Lilly medication boosts COVID recovery time
Doctors are reporting that a two-drug treatment involving a medication from Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. is especially helpful for COVID-19 patients who need extra oxygen.
Congress averts shutdown, buys time for more COVID-19 talks
COVID-19 relief talks remain stalled but there is universal agreement that Congress won’t adjourn for the year without passing a long-delayed round of pandemic relief.
In Wall Street years, 2020 felt like a decade for markets
The stock market tumbled through years’ worth of losses in just over a month this spring, only to turn around and pack an entire bull market’s worth of gains into less than nine months.
Retailers urge shoppers to buy early amid shipping crunch
The earlier-than-usual deadlines come as more people turn to online shopping during the pandemic, creating a logjam for shipping companies as well as delivery delays. The U.S. Post Office admits that processing plants are “overwhelmed.”
Pollstar: Live events industry lost $30B due to pandemic
Pollstar on Friday said the live events industry should have hit a record-setting $12.2 billion this year, but instead it incurred $9.7 billion in losses.
Congress stuck as McConnell resists state aid in COVID-19 deal
An emerging $900 billion COVID-19 aid package from a bipartisan group of lawmakers all but collapsed Thursday after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators won’t support $160 billion in state and local funds as part of a potential trade-off in the deal.
U.S. panel endorses widespread use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; FDA expected to act quickly
The advisory group, in 17-4 vote with one abstention, concluded that the shot appears safe and effective against the coronavirus in people 16 and older.
Hogsett calls Congressional gridlock on second stimulus package ‘unconscionable’
He said he wanted to “add his voice to a chorus of fellow mayors” from across the state and country calling for Congress to take action.
U.S. budget deficit up 25.1% in first 2 months of budget year
The deficit—the shortfall between what the government collects in taxes and what it spends—reflected an 8.9% jump in outlays, to $886.6 billion, and a 2.9% decline in tax revenues, to $457.3 billion.
Jobless claims jump nationally, in Indiana amid resurgence of virus
The latest figures coincide with a surging viral outbreak that appears to be weakening the job market and the economy and threatening to derail any recovery.
Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approach
Wall Street has rolled out the welcome mat for companies going public this year, boosting proceeds from initial public offerings to the highest level in six years.
Lawmakers act to avert shutdown, buying time for COVID relief talks
Amid the uncertainty, the House easily passed a one-week government-wide funding bill Wednesday that sets a new Dec. 18 deadline for Congress to wrap up both the COVID-19 relief measure and a $1.4 trillion catch-all spending bill that is also overdue.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine faces last hurdle before U.S. decision
Thursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to begin shipping millions of doses of the shot, which has shown strong protection against the coronavirus.
U.S. government, states sue Facebook for ‘predatory’ conduct
Federal regulators on Wednesday sued to force a breakup of Facebook as 48 states and districts accused the company in a separate lawsuit of abusing its market power in social networking to crush smaller competitors.
United Kingdom probing if allergic reactions linked to Pfizer vaccine
British regulators warned Wednesday that people who have a history of serious allergic reactions shouldn’t receive the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country’s mass vaccination program.
New White House offer adds $600 checks to COVID-19 relief package
The $916 billion offer, the separate ongoing talks among key rank-and-file senators, and the shifting demands by the White House all add up to muddled, confusing prospects for a long-delayed COVID-19 aid package.