Jobless claims drop more than expected nationally, but rise in Indiana
Texas, Michigan and Georgia. Illinois, Oregon and Indiana reported the largest increases in filings during the holiday week.
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Fed reports slowing U.S. economic activity due to virus surge
The report said that among the sectors doing better were manufacturing, housing construction and existing home sales. But banks said there had been deterioration in their loans, particularly those to retailers and the leisure and hospitality industries.
Indiana gets ready for COVID vaccines, which officials expect within weeks
Two companies are awaiting emergency authorization to distribute vaccines in the United States, following Britain’s action Wednesday to become the first country in the world to approve a vaccine.
Pelosi, Schumer say $908B pandemic relief package should be basis for new talks
The willingness to accept a potential bill totaling less than $1 trillion represents a significant step down for the top Democrats, who had pushed for more than $3 trillion in new aid earlier this year.
Nurses wanted: Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help
U.S. hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are trying to lure nurses and doctors out of retirement, recruiting students and new graduates who have yet to earn their licenses and offering eye-popping salaries in a desperate bid to ease staffing shortages.
Federal Reserve, Treasury urge Congress to approve more virus relief
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a aid bill totaling around $908 billion, raising hopes that the legislative impasse might be broken.
Some 2-week coronavirus quarantines can be cut to 10 or 7 days, CDC says
The move reflects the agency’s recognition that the two-week quarantine rule is onerous for many people and that most of the public health benefit from quarantining people exposed to the virus can be gained with a more flexible approach.
Indiana reports 6,655 new COVID-19 cases, 91 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 fell slightly, from an all-time high Monday of 3,460 to 3,441 on Tuesday.
Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel Show called off after 66-year run
Anderson-based Renfro Productions Inc., which produces and manages the show and several related events, said it would bring back the events in 2022.
United Kingdom authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
British media have reported that hospitals in England have been told to get ready to start doing vaccinations for medical workers as early as next week.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales disappoint amid uncertain economic recovery
Fewer Americans shopped during Black Friday weekend, and those who did spent less than they did a year ago. It’s the latest example of how the pandemic has upended consumer habits and created new challenges for retailers.
More than half of PPP funds went to larger businesses, new data show
According to data on the government’s Paycheck Protection Program, about 600 mostly larger companies, including dozens of national chains, received the maximum amount allowed under the program of $10 million.
Indiana governor ends quarantine after COVID-19 exposure
Meanwhile, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and his wife are scheduled to remain in quarantine until Friday after having close contact with an infected person.
Holcomb extends state’s public health emergency until end of year
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s action Tuesday was his ninth 30-day extension of the statewide public health emergency he first issued in early March on the day of Indiana’s first coronavirus infection was confirmed.
U.S. panel to decide who should get the first COVID-19 shots
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was scheduled to vote on a proposal that would give priority to health care workers and nursing home patients.
Bipartisan group of senators prepares $908B stimulus plan
Several centrist lawmakers in the Senate held a news conference Tuesday morning to push their proposal as a template for legislation that could pass Congress as the economy faces increasing strain from a winter surge in coronavirus cases.
Indiana’s daily COVID-19 report contains new highs for deaths, hospitalizations
November turned out to be a record-setter for the pandemic, with increases in cases, deaths and tested individuals setting monthly highs.
Study: Students falling behind in math during pandemic
Overall, NWEA’s fall assessments showed elementary and middle school students have fallen measurably behind in math, while most appear to be progressing at a normal pace in reading since schools were forced to abruptly close in March and work online.
European regulator could approve COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 29
European regulators could approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech within four weeks, the EU’s drug agency said Tuesday, a time frame that might mean the shot is rolled out first in the United States and Britain.
Fed leader Powell says pace of economic improvement has moderated
In remarks released Monday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the increase in new COVID-19 cases both in the United States and abroad was “concerning and could prove challenging for the next few months.