Emergency program to give people $50 off monthly internet bill
It’s unclear how long the money will last but it’s expected to be several months. Tens of millions of people are eligible.
COVID-19 pet boom has veterinarians backlogged, burned out
To meet the demand from the pet boom, vets have extended hours, hired additional staff and refused to take new patients. And they still can’t keep up.
State reports 15 new deaths from COVID-19
The Indiana State Department of Health on Tuesday reported 687 new COVID-19 cases and 15 new deaths.
Indy council ratifies COVID orders after Legislature nullifies them with veto override
The Democratic-majority council’s vote—which passed 19-5 along party lines—keeps a citywide mask mandate and restaurant capacity limits in place in Indianapolis.
Treasury to start paying out $350B in state, local aid
The funding could provide a jolt of growth after the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 6.1% in April, a sign of how difficult it can be to restart an economy despite an unprecedented degree of federal assistance.
Punch Bowl Social to reopen downtown location next week
The 23,000-square-foot restaurant-and-entertainment venue, part of a Denver-based chain, has been closed since March 2020, eliminating 91 jobs.
Lilly to start bringing back downtown employees June 1, requiring vaccinations at first
The company plans to open its campus to all employees by July 12. The move comes as more companies continue to slowly reopen offices and navigate tricky territory with vaccinations.
Southwest adding nonstop Florida flights to Miami, Panama City Beach
The news of the new flights comes as the airline industry sees a rebound in passenger traffic from the pandemic, which decimated air travel last year.
Masks could become seasonal after pandemic, Fauci says
The chief medical adviser to the White House said Sunday that it is “conceivable” that during seasonal periods where respiratory-borne viruses such as the flu are prevalent, people might decide in the next year or two to wear masks.
Indiana death toll from COVID-19 climbs past 13,000
The state said more than 2.13 million Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sunday. More than 2.43 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
COVID-19 cases climb by 1,056, deaths by 8 in Indiana
The state said more than 2.11 million Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Saturday at 5 a.m. More than 2.43 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
Indiana health officials plead with Legislature not to overturn Holcomb veto
If lawmakers override Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto, any local orders to wear masks, set permitted capacity in bars and restaurants, or attendance caps at events would be swept away immediately, the health officials said.
Indianapolis-area employers reluctant to require employee vaccinations
Companies are offering plenty of incentives to encourage their workers to get COVID vaccinations, but few, if any, are requiring the shots as a condition for coming back to work—or, in the case of new hires, for getting a job offer.
Labor-starved restaurants, bars add bonuses, increased wages to the menu
Local restaurant owners battling a nationwide labor shortage are using alternative recruiting techniques and financial incentives to try to staff a returning dinner rush.
500 Festival remains in black despite cancellations
Like most everyone, the organization last year made budget cuts to cope with the pandemic. But its expenses also dropped dramatically because it canceled the 500 Festival Parade and shifted to a virtual platform for other events.
Indiana reports 16 more COVID-19 deaths, another 1,189 cases
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 decreased from 991 on Wednesday to 939 on Thursday—up from 706 a month ago.
U.S. employers added just 266K jobs in April as hiring slowed
Most economists expect job growth to strengthen as more vaccinations are administered and trillions in government aid spreads through the economy.
American Airlines plans new nonstop flight from Indy, revives two others
The airline plans to launch a nonstop flight from Indianapolis International Airport to Orlando and renew nonstop routes to Los Angeles and Boston, the airport announced Thursday.
Indiana reports 1,261 new COVID cases, six more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dropped from 1,019 on Tuesday to 991 on Wednesday.
U.S. unemployment claims fall to a pandemic low of 498,000
The number of weekly jobless claims—a rough measure of the pace of layoffs—has declined significantly from a peak of 900,000 in January as employers have ramped up hiring.
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