Apple, Google release technology for pandemic apps
Apple and Google on Wednesday rolled out long-awaited smartphone technology to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus.
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NCAA to lift moratorium on football, basketball workouts
The decision clears the way for individual workouts by athletes, mostly on their own, subject to safety and health protocols decided by their schools or local health officials.
Mass Ave business owners criticize city’s plan to close streets for outdoor dining
A group of 23 local restaurant, retail and not-for-profit leaders has gone on record to oppose the city’s plan to close Massachusetts Avenue to traffic through July 4 to allow for more outdoor dining.
Strong earnings boost stock market, lifting Dow 369 points
Stocks rose Wednesday as investors focused on signs that the reopening of the global economy is gathering momentum.
UPDATE: Holcomb to activate Stage 3 of reopening plan two days early
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he would activate Stage 3 of his pandemic reopening plan on Friday—two days earlier than previously scheduled.
State reports another 569 COVID-19 cases, 38 more deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday said 195,738 people have been tested so far, up from 189,330 in Tuesday’s report.
Engine maker Rolls-Royce cutting 9,000 jobs as aviation reels
It doesn’t appear as if those cutbacks will have a significant impact on Indianapolis, where Rolls-Royce employs about 4,000 people.
Target’s online shift prepared it for pandemic
A years-long campaign by Target to compete with Amazon.com online was, as it turns out, a dry run for the health crisis.
Study: Elderly COVID-19 patients on ventilators usually do not survive
The study confirmed that advanced age is the greatest risk factor for a severe outcome, particularly if accompanied by chronic underlying diseases.
States accused of fudging, bungling COVID-19 testing data
The risk is that politicians, business owners and ordinary Americans who are making decisions about lockdowns, reopenings and other day-to-day matters could be left with the impression that the virus is under more control than it actually is.
Pier 1 to go out of business, permanently close all 540 stores
The home-goods retailer has two stores in Indianapolis and three in the suburbs (Plainfield, Carmel and Noblesville).
COVID-19 patients testing positive after recovery aren’t infectious, study says
The research might aid in the debate over antibody tests, which look for markers in the blood that indicate exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Major streets set aside for dining, distancing could be closed until July 4
Through the Dine Out Indy program, the traffic lanes will become paths for pedestrians, while street parking spots and sidewalks could be utilized for outdoor seating or to expand retail space.
Fed’s Powell says new lending programs to launch by June 1
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that while the Fed has received a “good deal of interest” in its lending programs, if not enough companies or state and local governments seek to borrow, the Fed would consider expanding their eligibility.
Gen Con cancels for 2020, but extends contract with city for two more years
Gen Con—the single-largest event the Indiana Convention Center hosts on an annual basis from an economic impact standpoint—will become an online event this year. Organizers said the social nature of the gaming event made it impossible to hold in-person.
With masks and testing, Notre Dame plans to reopen in August
University of Notre Dame officials announced Monday the school’s campus will reopen to students on Aug. 10, with social distancing, a mask requirement, testing and contact tracing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Holcomb preparing to tweak reopening plan; details to come Wednesday
Stage 3 of the governor’s roadmap, scheduled to start Sunday, is set to increase the social gathering limit from 25 people to 100, allow retailers to go from operating at 50% capacity to 75% capacity, let fitness centers reopen and allow movie theaters to open at 50% capacity.
‘Triple whammy’ of good news powers Dow more than 900 points
The Dow Jones industrial average surged nearly 700 points at the opening bell, then kept going, after Moderna announced that an early-stage human trial for its coronavirus vaccine successfully produced COVID-19 antibodies in participants.
MHG Hotels sues insurer for claim denial as pandemic-related losses climb
A local hotelier expects to lose more than $20 million from declines in travel tied to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a lawsuit filed against its insurer earlier this month.
Indiana reports another 477 COVID-19 cases as testing hits new high
The Indiana State Department of Health said Monday that the cumulative death toll in the state rose to 1,621, up from 1,607 the previous day—an increase of 14.