NASDAQ hits high, S&P rises following stimulus progress, Fed moves
In a mixed and muted day of trading, the S&P 500 rose 6.55 points, or 0.2%, to 3,701.17. It’s within roughly 1 point of its record set last week.
Congressional leaders add stimulus checks to $900B relief package as they near deal
The package emerging is expected to include hundreds of billions of dollars in aid for ailing small businesses and jobless Americans and a one-time check of between $600 and $700 for millions of Americans below a certain income threshold.
United States angling to secure more of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine
U.S. officials say they’re actively negotiating for additional purchases of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine after passing up a chance to lock in a contract this summer since it was still unclear how well the shots would work.
Fed keeps rate near zero, sees brighter economy in 2021
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes “substantial” progress—a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low indefinitely.
Negotiators near agreement on long-delayed COVID-19 aid bill
Top congressional leaders are hoping to seal a deal as early as Wednesday that would extend aid to individuals and businesses and help ship coronavirus vaccines to millions.
Indiana sees another 125 COVID-19 deaths, 6,283 more cases
Marion County saw another 964 more COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths, bring cumulative totals to 60,483 cases and 1,006 deaths.
Retail sales experience biggest drop in seven months
Americans held back on spending during the start of the holiday shopping season, a troubling sign for retailers and the state of the U.S. economy.
Pence lauds vaccine effort during stop at Indiana plant
Vice President Mike Pence stressed the need for Americans to stay focused on limiting the spread of the virus before a vaccine is in widespread use.
FDA review clears path for second coronavirus vaccine, this one developed by Moderna
The vaccine appears poised for regulatory clearance after a detailed data review by Food and Drug Administration scientists confirmed the two-shot regimen was “highly effective” in a clinical trial and carried no serious safety concerns.
U.S. stock indexes climb on renewed hope for relief package
Wall Street is growing increasingly confident that Democratic and Republican lawmakers will clinch a bill based on a $748 billion bipartisan proposal that would inject cash directly into the economy as prior benefits begin to expire at the end of the year.
Talks escalate on new COVID-19 relief, top lawmakers to meet
Rank-and-file Democrats appear increasingly resigned to having to drop, for now, the party’s demand for fiscal relief for states and local governments whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic.
U.S. Postal Service ‘gridlocked’ as historic crush of holiday packages sparks delays
As a homebound nation increasingly shops online for holiday gifts, private express carriers FedEx and UPS have cut off delivery service for some retailers, sending massive volumes of packages to the Postal Service and creating major delays.
FDA allows use of over-the-counter home test for COVID-19
A company spokesperson said the test will be priced around $30 and be available at pharmacies and online. The test connects to a digital app to help users interpret the results.
Indiana sees decline in COVID-19 cases, rise in deaths, hospitalizations
Despite the drop in cases, newly reported deaths due to COVID-19 surged to 129, the second-highest number of new deaths ever contained in the daily report. Testing was at its lowest mark since Nov. 1.
Old Oaken Bucket football game called off again due to pandemic
The rivalry game between Indiana University and Purdue University, which has been played every year since 1920, was canceled for the second time in two weeks—and the third time this season.
U.S. industrial production rises 0.4% with boost from auto sector
Production of motor vehicles and parts rose 5.3% in November, the biggest monthly increase since a 31% surge in July.
COVID-19 vaccinations ramp up as feds weigh second provider
U.S. officials reiterated their projection that 20 million Americans will be able to get their first shots by the end of December, and 30 million more in January.
U.S., states crack down on scams bilking desperate Americans
Regulators on Monday unveiled what they are calling “Operation Income Illusion,” a yearlong nationwide law-enforcement sweep targeting the scammers. Consumers have lost an estimated $1 billion in the schemes since the start of 2020.
Big Ten football title game to be played without fans
The Big Ten Conference does not plan to sell general admission tickets for Saturday’s football title game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, instead limiting attendance to only the families of athletes and other team members.
Health care workers in Indiana begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations
The first doses were administered to a physician, nurse, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, patient care tech and environmental services tech at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne shortly after noon, the state said.
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
[email protected] State’s virus-related executive orders State plan to reopen Indiana