CDC recommends Americans wear cloth masks in public
The recommendation reverses earlier guidance on the subject as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to balloon across the United States.
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State launches ‘Hope’ campaign as Hoosiers seek mental health, social services in huge numbers
Gov. Eric Holcomb acknowledged the state is facing a potential mental-health crisis, and said he is committed to offering services to Hoosiers who are feeling troubled.
Indiana to extend stay-at-home order through April 20
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday he would extend his stay-at-home order for two more weeks as part of the state’s ongoing effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The current stay-at-home order had been set to expire April 7.
WNBA postpones start of season because of pandemic
The league was scheduled to open training camps April 26 and the regular season was set to begin May 15. The WNBA will still hold a “virtual” draft April 17.
Coronavirus cases jump to 3,437 in state, 1,429 in Marion County
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that 17,835 people have been tested so far, up from 16,285 in Thursday’s report.
Purdue University postponing planned raises amid virus crisis
Purdue President Mitch Daniels told trustees Thursday that he’s also limiting repairs and purchases and putting a freeze on new hires.
U.S. shed 701,000 jobs in March, ending record hiring streak after nearly 10 years
Last month’s actual job loss was likely even larger because the government surveyed employers before the heaviest layoffs hit in the past two weeks. The unemployment rate jumped from a 50-year low of 3.5%.
Bottleworks, justice campus among projects moving forward despite coronavirus closures
The construction industry is exempt from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s orders that non-essential businesses close and Hoosiers stay home.
Banks expect deluge of desperate businesses seeking loans
Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for a desperately needed rescue loan Friday, a stern test for a banking industry that has had less than a week to prepare.
City’s contemporary art organization ceasing operations after 19 years
Indianapolis Contemporary—known as the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art up until 11 months ago—announced Thursday that it was calling it quits after an internal review “determined it was not economically feasible to continue operations.”
Residents at 29 nursing homes, state prison inmates infected with COVID-19
Both types of locations are considered serious in a pandemic, because the virus can spread quickly in confined spaces. In addition, elderly people in nursing homes or prisons with underlying medical conditions are considered especially vulnerable if they are infected.
IRS to start sending rescue checks April 9; some won’t get them until September
About eight in 10 taxpayers who have signed up for direct deposit payments for their past tax refunds are expected to receive the money within two weeks. Others could be waiting months.
Indiana workforce office hiring more workers to deal with flood of jobless claims
Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Fred Payne said Thursday that 146,243 initial unemployment claims were filed last week as the coronavirus pandemic continued to sideline employers.
Stocks rise as a bounce in oil prices lifts energy sector
Oil surged more than 30% immediately after President Donald Trump said he expects Saudi Arabia and Russia to back away from their price war.
Lebanon-based disinfectant light manufacturer adjusting to surge in demand
The Lebanon-based company engineers, fabricates and manufactures ultraviolet lights that penetrate and destroy bacteria, viruses and other harmful microbes. The company, along with others in its field, are seeing record demand.
Coronavirus cases jump to 3,039 in state, 1,304 in Marion County
The Indiana State Department reported Thursday that 16,285 people have been tested so far, up from 14,375 in Wednesday’s report.
U.S. unemployment claims hit record 6.6M as layoffs accelerate during pandemic
The figure for last week is much higher than the previous record of 3.3 million reported for the previous week.
North suburbs partnering with private laboratory for weekly COVID-19 tests
First responders in Carmel, Noblesville, Zionsville, Whitestown and other municipalities will be tested weekly by Aria Diagnostics.
Protective gear in national stockpile nearly depleted, DHS officials say
The government’s emergency stockpile of respirator masks, gloves and other supplies is almost exhausted, leaving the Trump administration and states to compete for equipment in a marketplace rife with price-gouging, according to Homeland Security officials.
IndyCar’s virtual race to be aired on NBC Sports Network
The debut virtual race last weekend drew 433,000 combined viewers to both IndyCar and iRacing’s online stream.