Mall giant Simon saw profit drop last year due to pandemic
Indianapolis-based Simon said it lost about 20% of its total shopping days last year at its U.S. malls because of government-mandated shutdowns related to the pandemic.
Here’s the latest on the plan for pandemic stimulus checks
There’s conflicting debate about the effectiveness of the direct payments. Most economists support giving more relief to Americans who are struggling to put food on the table or keep their small business from closing.
Workers who quit rather than risk COVID on job still hope to collect unemployment
More than 1.5 million people quit their jobs voluntarily because of the pandemic last year and filed for unemployment insurance, according to data from the Department of Labor, more than twice the amount over the same period in 2019.
New variants raise worry about COVID-19 virus reinfections
Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. People also can get second infections with earlier versions of the coronavirus if they mounted a weak defense the first time, new research suggests.
Minimum wage hike to $15 by 2025 would result in 1.4M unemployed, CBO says
The report comes as senior Democrats debate whether to include raising the federal minimum wage in a budget resolution that is largely designed to help the sputtering economic recovery.
Indiana COVID-19 cases hit 4-month low amid increase in deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 ticked up slightly, from 1,287 on Saturday to 1,292 on Sunday, the first increase since Feb. 1.
T.J. Maxx to reopen downtown Indianapolis store next week
The discount clothing and home-goods store closed during last spring’s pandemic stay-at-home orders, then sustained damage during riots and looting in May. It’s set to reopen Sunday.
State reports 1,764 more COVID-19 cases, 55 deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 1,399 on Friday to 1,287 on Saturday, the lowest number since Oct. 11.
State reports 2,855 more COVID-19 cases, 67 new deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 1,446 on Thursday to 1,399 on Friday, the lowest number since Oct. 18.
AP analysis: Federal executions in Indiana likely a COVID superspreader
Employees at the Terre Haute prison complex where the 13 executions were carried out over six months had contact with inmates and other people infected with the coronavirus, but were able to refuse testing and declined to participate in contact tracing efforts.
Experts worry Super Bowl could trigger coronavirus explosion
On a weekend usually defined by packed gatherings in bars and living rooms, with fans screaming at televisions and sharing spreads of finger foods, health authorities are urging smaller, quieter celebrations.
San Antonio area gets entire NCAA women’s basketball tourney
The move Friday was made to help mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and matches that of the men’s tournament, which the NCAA said last month will be played in the Indianapolis area.
Tax-form mailings help reveal extent of U.S. unemployment fraud
Simple tax forms being mailed to people who never collected unemployment benefits are revealing their identities were likely stolen months ago and used to claim bogus benefits that have totaled billions of dollars across the country.
Mark Montieth: Ticket brokers confident they’ll make a comeback
The pandemic that wiped out the nation’s sporting and concert events in one fell swoop did serious damage to a lot of bottom lines in 2020, particularly those of Circle City and Fanfare.
Q&A: Dan Evans had polio vaccine in 1955, COVID shot in 2021
The former IU Health CEO has had a front-row seat for decades to Indiana’s bustling health care landscape.
Editorial: Young shows leadership in debate about next relief plan
At a time when the country—and many of our leaders—appear to be incredibly divided, we appreciate the effort by Sen. Todd Young and his GOP colleagues to craft a COVID-19 relief proposal they could take to the president.
New restaurant, Block Bistro and Grill, opening downtown
Local restaurateur Terry Anthony said his goal is lure people back downtown and attract repeat customers. The Block opens Sunday in the historic Block Building.
Indiana reports another 1,529 COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell from 1,541 on Wednesday to 1,446 on Thursday, the lowest number since Oct. 20.
Biden, House Democrats put $1.9T relief plan on fast track
The Senate early Friday approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle the relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.
Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid
Overall, the nation’s nearly 200 dioceses and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion. That makes the Roman Catholic Church perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the Paycheck Protection Program
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