Scooter companies pull out of cities worldwide amid pandemic
The appeal of sharing a high-touch vehicle with an unknown number of strangers has succumbed to the fear of viral transmission.
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Restaurants, breweries embracing more alcohol delivery, carryout
With revenue down because of banned dine-in services, some eateries are taking advantage of the governor’s order allowing more restaurants and breweries to temporarily offer carryout and delivery of alcohol.
State unemployment was 3.1% in February, before deluge of job losses
Indiana’s unemployment rate held steady in February, just before a wave of job losses and unemployment applications in March due to the coronavirus pandemic that threaten to send the rate much higher.
Coronavirus cases rise to 981 in state, 484 in Marion County
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that 6,936 people have been tested so far, up from 4,651 people in the previous day’s report.
State dips into reserves for coronavirus spending as pandemic cuts into revenue
Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said agencies have been told to look for places where they can eliminate spending. But he said there are no plans to cut funding for schools, even though it’s the state’s largest expenditure.
The strain of isolation: Shift to telecommuting amplifies stressors
Hoosier company leaders are now warding off increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, burnout and depression with virtual water coolers and doughnut deliveries.
Washington, D.C., on track to deliver $2.2T rescue bill Friday
The House is set to pass the sprawling, $2.2 trillion measure Friday morning after an extraordinary 96-0 Senate vote late Wednesday. President Donald Trump marveled at the unanimity Thursday and is eager to sign the package into law.
Coronavirus deals one-two financial punch to state budgets
Cris Johnston, director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, said Thursday that the state has begun to use some of its $2.3 billion reserve fund. Indiana is far from alone.
Pharmacists say doctors hoarding unproven coronavirus medicine, creating shortages
The Indiana Pharmacists Association is among groups nationally that say pharmacists are reporting medication hoarding, inappropriate prescribing and limited prescriber availability of two drugs touted as possible treatments for COVID-19.
U.S. has 1.5M expired N95 masks sitting in Indianapolis warehouse
Although past their expiration date, the respirators are considered usable and fully capable. Federal officials have decided to offer them to the Transportation Security Administration, despite urgent need at hard-hit hospitals around the country.
Greenfield auto parts plant lays off 336 employees in temporary closure
BWI Group—also known as BeijingWest Industries Co.—said the layoffs are necessary because Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all non-essential businesses closed and because the Ford plants it supplies have shut down their production lines.
Eight residents of Franklin nursing home hospitalized after positive COVID-19 tests
Officials at Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community say a nurse and therapist also tested positive and are recovering at home.
Stocks soar after Senate passes $2 trillion stimulus bill
A dismal unemployment report failed to pop Wall Street’s buoyant mood on Thursday, with stocks running to their third straight day of gains following the federal government’s pledge to shower trillions of dollars on U.S. citizens and commerce.
WNBA to hold college draft as planned in April, virtually
The regular season isn’t set to begin until May 15, so the pandemic has not affected daily operations as much as other professional leagues. The WNBA, however, has been evaluating its schedule, with training camps slated to begin April 26.
UPDATE: Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Honda, Toyota seek to restart factories
The plants would reopen in early or mid-April, restoring the largest source of cash for automakers that generally book revenue when they ship vehicles to dealerships.
NCAA slashes distribution to member schools by $375 million
The organization had been scheduled to distribute $600 million to more than 300 Division I schools from April to June.
Indy 500 moved to Aug. 23; Grand Prix becomes doubleheader with NASCAR race
In addition, the GMR Grand Prix—typically run as part of May’s Indy 500 festivities—will move to July 4 on the IMS road course and be conducted in conjunction with the Brickyard 400.
Stocks rise sharply again, could be heading for 3-day rally
The S&P 500 was up 4.6%, continuing a rally that has vaulted the index 16% higher since Monday on rising expectations that Congress will soon approve an unprecedented rescue package for the economy.
Small businesses fear delays in $350 billion rescue program
Getting the $350 billion in loans for small businesses in the record U.S. stimulus package into business owners’ hands before a wave of closures will strain the nation’s network of lenders and regulators as never before.
Calculating lives when making decisions not unusual for federal government
For decades, the federal government has made calculations on how policies intended to safeguard American health could impact the economy. Now, the push-pull of when to re-open the economy during the coronavirus crisis centers on a similarly bleak decision.