Stocks extend weekly gains, buoyed by positive Remdesivir findings
Gilead Sciences Inc. advanced after reporting its Remdesivir treatment cut COVID-19 mortality risk by 62%.
Indiana’s neighbor toughens mask mandate, requires businesses to deny service
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday said businesses must comply beginning Monday or risk losing their licenses. She pointed to “stalled” progress in suppressing the virus.
Catholic Church lobbied for pandemic relief funds, got $1.4B
The church’s haul may have reached—or even exceeded—$3.5 billion, making a global religious institution with more than a billion followers among the biggest winners in the U.S. government’s pandemic relief efforts
Fed buys more corporate bonds, but might soon end purchases
The Federal Reserve said Friday that it purchased $1.3 billion in corporate bonds in late June as part of its effort to keep U.S. interest rates low and ensure large companies can borrow by selling bonds.
North-side hotels capitalize on Grand Park, leisure travelers
Hotels across the metro area are starting to slowly rebound from this spring’s shutdown, but north-suburban properties are making up ground faster than anyone else.
Wealthy hospitals get billions in federal bailout funds
Some are asking whether coronavirus aid funds are flowing to the neediest hospitals, or to those that already have deep financial resources, as the money is doled out to thousands of institutions nationwide.
Downtown firms in no rush to get workers back to office
It could be months, or longer, before downtown bustles again with the office workers who help restaurants and other retailers thrive. And the wait might be a death knell for some of those retailers.
IndyGo bypasses former Harrison College site in search for more space
The transit agency is now considering a site on Post Road that is much larger than the former Harrison College site downtown and potentially much less expensive.
Indiana passes 50K mark after jump in COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health on Friday reported 748 new cases, the largest one-day increase since May 6, when cases increased by 837.
State rental assistance program set to launch Monday
The program is open to Hoosiers in every county except Marion, where a separate rental assistance program also opens Monday.
Capital Improvement Board misses May revenue mark by nearly 70%
The CIB, which operates the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday said May income fell significantly short of both previous-year and budgeted totals because of the pandemic.
Sur La Table files for bankruptcy, to close dozens of stores
Kitchen goods retailer Sur La Table says it has reached a “stalking horse” agreement with New York-based Fortress Investment Group for a possible sale.
Big Ten scraps nonconference football games due to pandemic
The conference cited medical advice in making its decision and added ominously that the plan would be applied only “if the conference is able to participate in fall sports.”
Masks to be optional for some Indiana public schools districts
With no statewide requirement in Indiana, districts are left to make the decision, then potentially write a policy and secure enough masks to outfit students and teachers.
WHO acknowledges coronavirus might be spread in the air
In a change to its previous thinking, the World Health Organization noted Thursday that studies evaluating COVID-19 outbreaks in restaurants, choir practices and fitness classes suggest the virus might have been spread through airborne microdroplets.
More than 1,000 TSA employees have tested positive for coronavirus
Air travel numbers, that collapsed in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak, are steadily climbing even as the virus is surging again: Nearly 2.7 million people traveled over the July Fourth holiday weekend.
U.S. economy shows signs of stalling as viral outbreak worsens
Some economists have even warned that a so-called “double-dip” recession, in which the economy shrinks again after rebounding, could develop.
IMPD signs $9.2M contract to equip officers with body cameras
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday said the contract with Decatur, Georgia-based Utility Inc. will equip 1,100 officers with BodyWorn camera technology for more than five years.
Indiana COVID-19 cases increase by 512, deaths by seven
The Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday said 9.1% of those tested in Indiana have been positive for COVID-19.
Indiana reports big decline in weekly unemployment claims
Indiana saw initial unemployment claims plummet from numbers that were suspected of being inflated by fraud the previous week, according to figures released Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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