OCT. 9-15, 2020
Gov. Eric Holcomb has made a lot of promises to Hoosiers since unexpectedly becoming his party’s nom- inee for governor in 2016 after then-Gov. Mike Pence ended his campaign so he could become the vice presidential candidate for Donald Trump. An analysis by IBJ’s Lindsey Erdody finds that Holcomb has accomplished or at least made progress on most of them. Also in this week’s issue, John Russell examines what the latest computer models are indicating about the death toll in Indiana from COVID-19. And Mickey Shuey examines how the owner of the Indiana Convention Center and Indianapolis’ major sports venues is planning for an extremely lean 2021 with revenue reduced by a third.
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Pummeled by pandemic, CIB making ‘hard decisions’
But Executive Director Andy Mallon says he’s “very confident” the board will recover from not only the pandemic but also necessary spending cuts and financial hits over the next 18 months.
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Experts aim to predict trajectory of COVID deaths in coming months
In the absence of a crystal ball, forecasting models offer the next best thing: a rough guide for people to guess when they might get back to something resembling normalcy.
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Holcomb chipped away at many of his goals in first term
IBJ looked at 30 of the more measurable commitments the governor has made over the last four years to see whether he’s lived up to what he promised and what Hoosiers can expect if he wins a second term.
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After Biglari unleashes venom on Cracker Barrel, CEO fires back
Biglari Holdings’ Sardar Biglari is pushing for reforms at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store even as Biglari restaurant Steak n Shake teeters.
Read MoreNew law means $4.7M more in tax revenue for Fishers, courtesy of Carmel
Special legislation passed in 2019 that caps Carmel’s income tax revenue growth at 2.5% per year for three years, with any excess transferred to Fishers, was triggered in the first year it could apply.
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Virtual road races aren’t attracting many runners—or much revenue—this year
For most races nationwide, including the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, participants run or walk on their own on a date and route of their choosing, rather than crossing a finish line amid a cheering crowd.
Read MoreQ&A: Yoga studio owner grows as pandemic wreaks havoc
While her battle with cancer was difficult, Kristine Camron says, it wasn’t nearly as tough as the struggles she’s faced this year during the pandemic.
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Conrad Indianapolis hotel owners sue insurer over refusal to pay pandemic claims
Like most hotels, the Conrad Indianapolis has been hammered by the pandemic and the related shutdown of conventions and other hospitality-related events and establishments that create business for the hotel.
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Namesake church in Holy Cross neighborhood looks for a savior
The massive Italian Renaissance edifice, with its 136-foot bell tower, in August landed for the second year in a row on Indiana Landmarks’ 10 Most Endangered list.
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Editorial: Race for governor keeps us in dark
Granted, Holcomb and his campaign have nothing to gain politically by introducing creative policy proposals in the midst of a safe race. But how about January? He’ll have four years and little to lose by making bold proposals that can help those who are struggling, shore up our weaknesses and make Indiana more economically competitive than ever.
Read MoreNATE FELTMAN: State needs IU’s help to solve critical challenges
The university is uniquely positioned to contribute to Indiana’s public health and talent pool, making IU’s search for a new president more important than ever.
Read MoreMichael McRobbie: Moment of reckoning shows need to invest in education
Pre-pandemic, Indiana Department of Workforce Development data indicated that 80% of in-demand jobs over the next decade would require some level of college. This number will likely rise as businesses accelerate adoption of new automation and artificial intelligence strategies to avoid future disruptions.
Read MoreFrank Hancock: It’s time for most employees to come back to work
To those businesses who continue to keep thousands at home and away from downtown, why? Indianapolis desperately needs your employees to return.
Read MoreHAHN: Too much truck, house pinch retirement savings
The pandemic has highlighted the fragility of many Americans’ financial situations. We need to start prioritizing saving and self-reliance.
Read MoreGarrett Mintz: Leaders often underestimate their abilities
As a society, we assume the most prominent business leaders have it all together—that they are brimming with confidence and are unshakable. We have conditioned ourselves to believe that leaders must be ever confident—that an organization’s CEO must have the answers, whether that’s because he or she is at the top of the organizational chart or because the leader has control.
Read MoreBOHANON & CUROTT: Looking behind the trade deficit that everyone seems to hate
Economists pretty much across the board argue that a nation’s trade balance is a byproduct of its investment opportunities and proclivity to save.
Read MoreLETTER: ParkIndy continues to pay off for city
In her Sept. 4 column [Privatizing parking meters is a mistake we’re stuck with], academic and scholar Sheila Kennedy revived her assault on one of Mayor Greg Ballard’s signature achievements: the ParkIndy initiative. Mrs. Kennedy’s partisan broadside omitted the most salient point about ParkIndy: Ballard took thousands and turned it into millions. Prior to the […]
Read MoreLetter: Republicans take John Mutz to task for opposition to Trump
If John Mutz could have achieved on the state level what the Trump administration achieved nationally, he would have rushed to press with a special campaign brochure touting his achievements that Hoosier voters would surely have respected and appreciated.
Read MoreLetter: Thankful for Mutz’s courage in opposing Trump
I hope other traditionally Republican voters follow his lead and vote to remove this toxic presence known as Trump—who has done so much damage to our country at home and abroad—from the White House.
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Visit Indy launches admission partnership with zoo, other attractions
The Indy Attraction Pass offers bundled access to Conner Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
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Carmel council OKs $180K purchase of two racially diverse sculptures
The appropriation on top of next year’s requested $1.3 million for public arts will purchase the city’s first statues from the J. Seward Johnson collection featuring people of Black and Indian descent.
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Monarch Beverage Co. to be acquired by Illinois beer distributor
Indianapolis-based Monarch, family-owned and locally operated since 1947, is the state’s largest beer distributor. It has about 600 employees.
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Marian University plans new engineering school with $24 million gift
The Indianapolis university said it was halfway to its $50 million fundraising goal for the school after a $24 million gift from the Witchger family and other donations.
Read MorePeterson returns as CEO of Christel House after death of founder DeHaan
Bart Peterson, former two-term mayor of Indianapolis, said he returned to the educational not-for-profit to fill a gap left by the death of Christel DeHaan in June.
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Pete Seat: Let’s examine what we’re trying to accomplish
Do we need to upend the entire tradition because of one bad night?
Read MoreKip Tew: Don’t change debate structure. Change the president.
The debate was illuminating. … It was a large window into our choice this election.
Read MoreDana Black: Forced procedures on immigrant women is atrocious
We have lost our ability to humanize those who came to our shores seeking our help.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Use your vote to tell the emperor he is naked
On the debate stage, Trump stood in all his naked glory—his bad behaviors of the past four years condensed into an hour-and-a-half spectacle.
Read MorePierre Atlas: I will vote to return to normalcy
I will be voting against Trump, but I will also be voting for Biden.
Read MoreCurt Smith: We are not electing a pastor, but a president
Trump is far from my ideal for a president, but he is right for the job.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner: We have another chance to do what’s right
Have we finally—after four painful years—reached the point where enough is enough?
Read MoreMichael Leppert: Gender diversity in public office isn’t good enough
I consider myself a feminist, and that is not just sycophantic rhetoric aimed at all the strong women in my life.
Read MoreShariq Siddiqui: The case for diversity in the Legislature
Informed public policy that is inclusive of the diverse views of our state’s residents is better public policy.
Read MoreMarshawn Wolley: Diversity and inclusion make for good business
We know everyone has implicit bias—which raises the challenge of figuring out how to manage it in order to arrive at bias-free decisions.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Amid negative pandemic news, I am vaccine-optimistic
The effort to rapidly bring an effective vaccine forward for massive distribution and inoculation has been truly amazing.
Read MoreJim Shella: Predictions about corruption have come home to roost
Everything comes with a price, and, when casinos produce huge profits, greed is sure to follow.
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MARK MONTIETH: Slicing and dicing the Pacers’ exhaustive search for a coach
Hiring a coach is one of the most important moves a franchise makes, but there’s no formula for success.
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