Indiana reports 934 more COVID-19 cases, 11 more deaths
The overall COVID-19 testing-positivity rate remained at 8.9% Saturday after the state reported 11,570 new tests. Daily testing in Indiana has topped 8,000 for 12 straight days.
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Unemployment system issues complicate negotiations over $1T stimulus
With days to go before enhanced jobless benefits expire, the White House and Senate Republicans are struggling to design a way to scale back the program without overwhelming state unemployment agencies and imperiling aid to more than 20 million Americans.
U.S. prison populations down 8% amid coronavirus outbreak
A nationwide analysis by The Marshall Project and The Associated Press says Indiana’s prison population dropped 4% from March to June, to 25,876.
Governor’s mask order carries no penalties for non-compliance, reveals end date
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order, signed Friday, does not include penalties for violations. The state attorney general said this week that the governor does not have legal authority to enforce a mask mandate.
Indiana reports second straight daily high in COVID-19 cases
The surge in cases came on the same day Indiana reported 12,515 new tests. That’s the second-highest number of tests reported in a daily state health department report since the beginning of the pandemic.
Survey: Many Americans believe temporary job losses will be permanent
In April, 78% of those in households with a job loss thought the losses would be temporary. Now, 47% think that lost job is definitely or probably not coming back, according to the poll.
City plans to continue statewide tourism campaign despite rollback in reopening
Visit Indy said about $75,000 of the $1 million budgeted for the “You’ve Earned It” advertising campaign has so far been spent, generating about $400,000 in visitor spending.
As AMC postpones reopening, movie theaters implore studios: Release blockbusters
Movie houses say that despite far from ideal circumstances, it’s time for new movies. Four months of near-zero revenue has brought the $50 billion annual business to its knees.
UPDATE: Marion County to enact new restrictions after surge in COVID-19 cases
Among other restrictions, the new guidelines, which start Friday, prevent in-class instruction at schools until at least Aug. 5 and close bars and nightclubs until at least Aug. 12.
S&P 500 has biggest loss in nearly 4 weeks as tech stumbles
The stock market was dragged down by a report showing layoffs are picking up across the country along with coronavirus counts.
White House, GOP kill payroll tax cut idea, but flounder over broader coronavirus bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had planned to roll out a $1 trillion GOP bill Thursday morning, but that announcement was canceled in a head-spinning series of events.
Southwest, American tighten mask rules; Delta widens testing
The moves come as airlines try to reassure passengers and their own employees about safety during a pandemic that has made many people afraid to fly.
State reports all-time daily high in new COVID-19 cases
The previous daily high for cases in Indiana was was 946 on April 27—a number that included more than 400 cases in Cass County stemming from an outbreak at a meat-processing plant.
Women’s apparel giant that includes Ann Taylor files for bankruptcy
The company says it intends to close all of its Catherines stores, a “significant number” of Justice stores and a select number of Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey stores.
White House warns Indianapolis, 10 other cities to take ‘aggressive’ action against COVID-19
Dr. Deborah Birx, a leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, warned state and local leaders in a private phone call Wednesday that 11 major cities—including Indianapolis—are seeing increases in the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19.
Amid national rise, Indiana reports big decrease in initial jobless claims
The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March, but Indiana saw a major decline in claims.
White House rolls out $5B help package for nursing homes as COVID-19 surges
Fearing another grim wave of nursing home deaths as COVID-19 cases rebound, President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his administration will provide $5 billion to help facilities counter the virus.
NCAA football oversight committee asks board for time on fall sports
The NCAA football oversight committee is asking the association’s Board of Governors to avoid making a decision soon on whether to conduct fall championships, “so that conferences and schools may have ample latitude to continue to evaluate the viability of playing football this fall.”
Attorney General: Holcomb has no authority to enforce statewide mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion Wednesday night that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb should call a special session if he wants to make masks a requirement.
East-side Indy nursing home tops statewide list of resident deaths from COVID-19
More than 43 long-term care facilities around the state have seen 10 residents or more die from the disease. State health officials released a breakdown by facility on Wednesday.