Biden team readies wider economic package after virus relief
During the presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to deploy $2 trillion on infrastructure and clean energy, but the White House has not ruled out an even higher price tag.
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Fraud overwhelms pandemic-related unemployment programs
In Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland, officials have said that for certain weeks in the new year, at least two-thirds of the claims they received were classified as suspicious due to problems verifying identities.
Duke Energy closing southern Indiana power plant early
The utility’s R. Gallagher power plant, which boasts twin smokestacks that have long towered over the Ohio River city of New Albany, was scheduled to be retired in 2022, but will now close much earlier.
J&J’s one-dose shot cleared, giving U.S. third COVID-19 vaccine
J&J initially is providing a few million doses and shipments to states could begin as early as Monday. By the end of March, J&J has said it expects to deliver 20 million doses to the U.S., and 100 million by summer.
House passes $1.9T pandemic bill on near party-line vote
The massive measure heads to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues.
Third U.S. vaccine could raise question: Which shots are best?
The nation is poised to get a third vaccine against COVID-19, with a Johnson & Johnson one-dose shot on the edge of FDA approval. Health experts say the best vaccine choice is the one that’s available.
U.S. consumers boost spending 2.4% as income jumps
Friday’s report from the Commerce Department also showed that personal incomes, which provide the fuel for spending, jumped 10% last month, boosted by cash payments most Americans received from the government.
COVID-19 bill must drop minimum wage hike, arbiter decides
The finding by Elizabeth MacDonough, the chamber’s nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, means Democrats face an overwhelmingly uphill battle to boost the minimum wage this year because of solid Republican opposition.
Costco to raise starting hourly wage to $16, end hazard pay
The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages.
Mr. Potato Head drops the mister, sort of
Toy maker Hasbro created confusion Thursday when it announced that it would drop the “Mr.” from the iconic toy’s name in order to be more inclusive, then seemed to contradict itself later in the day.
NCAA reveals COVID-19 contingency plans for hoops tourneys
Under a contingency plan released Thursday, the top four teams left out of March Madness will serve as potential replacements for any teams that are unable to participate due to COVID-19 issues.
UPDATE: Olympics gymnastics coach kills himself after being charged
Gold medal-winning coach John Geddert, who was suspended by Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, during the Larry Nassar scandal, took his own life Thursday after being charged with two dozen crimes, including forms of human trafficking.
Fourth quarter economy better than originally thought, revised up to 4.1%
The 4.1% gain in the gross domestic product—the broadest measure of economic health—is a slight upward revision from 4% growth in the first estimate released a month ago, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
Tech rout pulls Nasdaq down 3.5% in biggest loss since October
A steady march higher in Treasury yields has been drawing money out of the stock market and leading investors to question the massive run-up in Big Tech valuations.
U.S. pizza sales, which boomed in pandemic, starting to slow
Pizza delivery remains popular, but diners’ choices are expanding, with more restaurants now offering delivery.
Twitter to let users charge followers to see premium posts
The subscriptions will allow Twitter to tap into a broader range of revenue sources in a world where online advertising is dominated by a Facebook-Google duopoly.
U.S. jobless claims fall to three-month low of 730K
Last week’s decline in applications was broad-based, with 36 states (including Indiana) and the District of Columbia reporting fewer people seeking unemployment benefits. That suggests that employers might be cutting fewer jobs.
GOP rallies solidly against Democrats’ $1.9T virus relief package
The hardening opposition suggested that President Joe Biden’s first major legislative initiative could encounter unanimous GOP opposition.
Study finds college sports still trail pro in diversity hiring
Wednesday’s report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport looked at racial hiring and gender hiring for the 2019-20 season across college sports, including leadership at the Indianapolis-based NCAA headquarters.
Pandemic art sales: Prettying up the walls we’re staring at
It seems many Americans who are stuck staring at their walls have decided the pandemic gives them a good reason to pretty them up.