Area homebuilders trying to keep up with strongest year since 2005
After a three-month streak of declining numbers, Indianapolis-area builders received a surge of interest from new-house buyers in November and are nearing a 16-year record.
IBJ Staff
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John Thompson named chair of Indiana Chamber board
Thompson is the first African-American to lead the chamber board and is the CEO and chairman of four businesses, including Thompson Distribution and First Electric Supply.
Indiana identifies first case of omicron variant of COVID-19
Although confirmation of the high contagious strain was confirmed this weekend, the specimen was collected 10 days ago.
Indiana’s unemployment rate drops to 20-plus-year low
However, the state’s labor force participation rate also fell, drooping from 62.7% in October to 62.5% in November—a near-record low for at least the last 46 years.
Governor taps his former speech writer to lead White River State Park
Jake Oakman, who has a history in tourism and Republican state politics, has been appointed executive director for the White River State Park Development Commission by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
UPDATE: Indiana taxpayers to get $125 refunds as state gives back $545M in surplus
The size of the state surplus has triggered Indiana’s automatic tax-refund law, with an estimated $545 million being divided evenly among 4.3 million taxpayers.
Indiana COVID-19 hospitalizations surge again; 90 more deaths reported
As the Delta variant wreaks havoc in Indiana, CDC officials on Tuesday said the omicron variant is rapidly spreading in the United States and could peak in a massive wave of infections as soon as January.
Indiana-based forklift manufacturing giant getting new CEO
Jeff Rufener, president and CEO, plans to retire from Toyota Material Handling at the end of the month after leading the company for the past 10 years.
Hospitalizations from COVID-19 reach highest mark since last year
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have climbed 27% since Dec. 1 and 124% over the past month.
Purdue researchers develop quick test to spot most costly bovine disease
The test allows for quicker diagnosis and pinpointed treatment of bovine respiratory disease, the most common and costly disease affecting the world’s cattle.
Central Indiana initiative named finalist in regional economic challenge
As a finalist, the Central Indiana Initiative, which is led by the city of Indianapolis, will receive a $500,000 grant to further develop its proposed projects. It is the running to win as much as $100 million more.
Hoagies & Hops closing Fletcher Place eatery
The restaurant known for its cheesesteaks plans to concentrate on its flagship location in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
IBJ Podcast: How has the Vogue been able to weather the pandemic?
A trio of tech executives bought the entertainment business that stages events at the famed Broad Ripple nightclub in 2019, less than a year before the pandemic hit the live-events industry like a sledgehammer.
UPDATE: About 3,500 AES Indiana customers remain without power Sunday morning following 2 weather events
The company said it expects the restoration of electric service to be “substantially complete” by late Monday evening.
IDEM chief of staff Rockensuess named new commissioner
Brian Rockensuess replaces Bruno Pigott, who stepped down Dec. 3 to become deputy assistant administrator in the office of water for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pat McAfee lands reported $30M-per-year media deal from FanDuel
Indianapolis-based “The Pat McAfee Show” and online gambling giant FanDuel have agreed to terms on a massive new four-year sponsorship deal, according to media reports.
North of 96th roundup: Cupcake bakery, Books & Brews store set to close
Hamilton County will soon be losing a cupcake bakery and a combination bookstore and bar, but it’ll be gaining a Just Love Coffee Cafe and two poke eateries. Also on the agenda is the return of Flix Brewhouse.
Statewide COVID hospitalizations climb to 11-month high
The state on Wednesday reported 80 more deaths from COVID-19, a two-day total of 173. The seven-day average of deaths from COVID rose from 23 to 27 per day.
Irsays to donate $3M to create IU research institute on mental health, stigma
The new Irsay Family Research Institute will be located in a newly renovated space in Morrison Hall on IU’s Bloomington campus.
Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people’s levels of virus-fighting antibodies against the omicron variant.