U.S. economy grew 2.1% in 2022, but recession fears linger
The latest figures point to a strong but slowing economy that has been tempered by the Federal Reserve’s aggressive efforts to control inflation.
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Key pandemic food benefit set to end, putting some seniors at risk
The reductions of allotments will be difficult for many, advocates say, especially since food costs were 12 percent higher in November 2022 than a year earlier.
House GOP eyes Social Security, Medicare amid spending battle
Only weeks after taking control of the chamber, GOP lawmakers under new Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have rallied around firm pledges for austerity.
FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model
The proposed change is designed to reduce the complexity of the vaccine regimen for the public, doctors and manufacturers. It also reflects a view that “chasing variants” with ever-changing booster formulations is ultimately futile.
Indiana, other states readying privacy bills as Washington stalls
Lawmakers in at least nine states, including Indiana, have introduced so-called comprehensive privacy bills, which broadly seek to set limits around what consumer data companies can collect and how they use it.
Microsoft layoffs suggest broader pain to come for economy
The tech giant is the latest to cut workers amid economic uncertainty that has taken a heavy toll on the tech, finance, media and housing sectors.
Small retailers could seek fighting chance under Roosevelt-era antitrust law
For years, Robinson-Patman was a mainstay of FTC enforcement. But the law fell out of favor as antitrust experts focused on consumer prices, arguing that retailer discounts would likely be passed on to consumers.
FAA: Data file damaged by personnel who didn’t follow procedures halted air travel
As the nation’s airspace recovered Thursday, attention turned to the complicated patchwork of old technology and modern additions that make up the aging safety system.
FAA system failure brings fresh round of disruption to U.S. air travel
The failure of a key federal safety system Wednesday led to widespread disruptions in domestic air travel for the second time in two weeks, prompting a fresh round of scrutiny from lawmakers amid continued breakdowns in technology.
Watts, who started Moms Demand Action in Zionsville, retiring from group
The gun-safety advocacy group Shannon Watts began in her kitchen a decade ago grew into a political juggernaut with chapters in all 50 states and tens of thousands of volunteers.
FTX recovers $5 billion in cash, crypto to repay customers
It is not yet clear how much of a shortfall FTX’s creditors will face as company advisers continue working to salvage what they can from the crypto giant’s shocking implosion in November.
Traffic congestion grows nationwide as workers return to office
Drivers in many U.S. cities—including Indianapolis—were stuck in traffic far longer in 2022 than the year before, with time savings tied to the pandemic dissipating in commutes.
New variant XBB.1.5 is ‘most transmissible’ so far, could fuel COVID wave
The descendant of the omicron variant rose from barely 2 percent of U.S. cases at the start of December to more than 27 percent the first week of January, according to new estimates.
Speaker fight stagnates as House Republicans fail to find consensus
The House adjourned Wednesday evening after another contentious day in which Republican Kevin McCarthy of California again failed three times to get the necessary 218 votes to take the speaker’s gavel.
Unresolved NFL schedule creates uncertainty for sportsbooks, fantasy sports sites
Every sportsbook has terms of service that establish how it handles such scenarios, but the fantasy football side of the equation is much trickier to solve.
Salesforce mum on how companywide cuts will affect Indy operations
The global cloud-computing giant revealed on Wednesday a major restructuring plan that will lay off about 10% of its employees and shrink its real estate footprint.
Congress expands protections for pregnant and nursing workers
Experts say the provisions will help close the gender wage gap and improve conditions for pregnant workers, especially in physically demanding jobs.
Southwest’s woes continue with thousands of canceled flights Thursday
The 2,359 flights scrubbed by Southwest Airlines on Thursday represents 96 percent of all domestic cancellations.
Southwest didn’t heed calls to upgrade tech before meltdown, unions say
Southwest Airlines’ overwhelmed technology—a scenario fueled by a punishing winter storm—left it this week facing some of the most difficult days in its half-century history.
Southwest draws regulatory scrutiny as thousands more flights canceled
More than 3,000 U.S. flights were canceled Tuesday among all carriers, with Southwest accounting for more than 2,600 of the total—a problem the airline blamed partly on tools for tracking and creating employee schedules.