Central Indiana existing-home sales rise for first time in three months
Sales of existing single-family homes jumped dramatically in central Indiana in July, despite the pandemic, soaring prices and a huge plunge in inventory.
Walmart has huge quarter as Americans go online for pandemic supplies
With unemployment in the U.S. hitting frighteningly high levels, Walmart’s ability to deliver low-priced food, clothing and electronics strengthened its structural advantages.
Coin shortage hits retailers, laundromats, tooth fairy
While there are still enough coins out there, they aren’t circulating as freely because many businesses have been closed and consumers aren’t out spending as usual.
NCAA confirms $270M insurance payout for canceled NCAA tournament
The NCAA’s insurance payout for March Madness is perhaps the largest for a pandemic-related event cancellation thus far.
Survey: States uncommitted to Trump’s unemployment boost
One reason for the states’ hesitancy is that they fear they will go through the complex steps required to adopt Trump’s plan, only to have it overridden by one from Congress.
Virus clusters erupt at U.S. universities as semester begins
The University of Notre Dame has reported 58 confirmed cases since students returned to the South Bend campus in early August.
NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis ‘unlikely to happen’ as scheduled, Pacers say
The team did not say whether the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities that are scheduled for Feb. 12-14 will be postponed or called off altogether.
S&P 500 comes close again, buts fails to eclipse its all-time high
For a third time in the past week, the S&P 500 popped above the closing record during the session, but ended below the Feb. 19 record close of 3,386.15.
Health products startup says its topical treatment can thwart coronavirus
Advanced Penetration Technology LLC said London-based research laboratory Virology Research Services evaluated the anti-viral impact of the product and concluded it is a “highly effective formulation” against the coronavirus.
Indiana reports smallest number of new COVID-19 cases in two weeks
Marion County reported an increase of 66 cases, snapping a 31-day streak in which cases in the county had risen by more than 100.
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IBJ Podcast: We’re burning out on remote work and video calls. Here’s how to get focused.
As some workforces face at least several more months of working from home, burnout threatens to become a dire business problem. But is this as good as it’s going to get? And what can we do to improve Zoom calls?
Indiana blocks some charter schools from $10M pandemic relief grant program
The Indiana Department of Education is withholding federally funded coronavirus relief grants from schools that also received money through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, according to school leaders.
Sites to offer free child care, e-learning support to Indianapolis children
Several Indianapolis not-for-profits are creating a multi-site community child care network that will provide free e-learning supervision for students whose schools are operating remotely this year.
An Andretti wins first Indy 500 pole for family in 33 years
Marco Andretti was 2 months old the last time his venerable racing family led the field to green at the Indianapolis 500.
Indiana surpasses 80,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases during pandemic
The state’s 7-day testing-positivity rate jumped from 7.6% on Saturday to 8% on Sunday while the overall testing-positivity rate stayed at 8.9%.
Taller cubicles, staggered schedules: Returning office workers forced to adjust
Around the United States, office workers sent home when the pandemic took hold in March are returning to the world of adjustments, but offices in many cities still remain mostly vacant.
Four Indiana cities sue Netflix, Hulu for unpaid franchise fees
The lawsuit, filed this month filed by the cities of Indianapolis, Fishers, Valparaiso and Evansville, argues that major video streaming services must pay a 5% franchise fee of gross revenue to the localities where their customers reside.
State reports 1,096 new COVID-19 cases, 15 more deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health on Saturday reported 1,096 new COVID-19 cases, the second-highest number of new cases reported in a daily report since the beginning of the pandemic.
Capital Improvement Board projects $41.6M budget deficit in 2021
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County approved a $132.3 million budget for 2021 during its Friday board meeting—a reduction of 26.4% from this year’s budget.
Postal Service warns 46 states their voters could be disenfranchised
Anticipating an avalanche of absentee ballots, the U.S. Postal Service sent detailed letters to 46 states and the District of Columbia warning that it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 Indiana State Department of Health Indy Chamber Rapid Response Hub Small Business Administration The SBA is making low-interest loans for working capital available to Indiana small businesses. Indiana Unemployment Information Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Dashboard Critical Industries Hotline(for business and industry only)
877-820-0890
covidresponse@iedc.in.gov State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana