Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said he would “suspend” several of his initiatives until after the election “to avoid even the appearance of impact on election mail.”
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Notre Dame moves classes online for two weeks—but isn’t sending students home
Since classes resumed Aug. 10, Notre Dame has recorded a steady increase in positive rates among students, mainly seniors living off-campus. As of noon Tuesday, 147 people had tested positive among the 927 tested since Aug. 3.
Hoosier Lottery sees slight dip in profit amid pandemic turmoil
More than 5% of the lottery’s roughly 4,300 retail ticket sellers were closed for extended periods after statewide business restrictions were put in place in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak, lottery officials said.
S&P 500 closes at a record, erasing last of pandemic losses
The stock market’s sprint back to an all-time high means that the gut-wrenching, nearly 34% plunge for the S&P 500 from Feb. 19 through March 23 was the quickest bear market on record.
Victoria’s Secret closures claim at least three stores in Indianapolis area
At least three Victoria’s Secret stores at some of the area’s largest shopping malls have closed permanently as part of the parent firm’s plan to eliminate 251 stores in North America this year.
Best way to care for your mask? Treat it like underwear, experts say
The increased dependence on the coverings has sparked countless questions. Chief among them: How do I take care of my mask so it continues to be as effective as possible?
Indiana reports highest number of new deaths since June 6
The state’s 7-day testing-positivity rate rose from 7.9% on Monday to 8.2% on Tuesday, while the overall testing-positivity rate dipped to 8.8% after the department added more than 2,000 previously excluded tested individuals.
Central Indiana existing-home sales rise for first time in three months
Sales of existing single-family homes jumped dramatically in central Indiana in July, despite the pandemic, soaring prices and a huge plunge in inventory.
Walmart has huge quarter as Americans go online for pandemic supplies
With unemployment in the U.S. hitting frighteningly high levels, Walmart’s ability to deliver low-priced food, clothing and electronics strengthened its structural advantages.
Coin shortage hits retailers, laundromats, tooth fairy
While there are still enough coins out there, they aren’t circulating as freely because many businesses have been closed and consumers aren’t out spending as usual.
NCAA confirms $270M insurance payout for canceled NCAA tournament
The NCAA’s insurance payout for March Madness is perhaps the largest for a pandemic-related event cancellation thus far.
Survey: States uncommitted to Trump’s unemployment boost
One reason for the states’ hesitancy is that they fear they will go through the complex steps required to adopt Trump’s plan, only to have it overridden by one from Congress.
Virus clusters erupt at U.S. universities as semester begins
The University of Notre Dame has reported 58 confirmed cases since students returned to the South Bend campus in early August.
NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis ‘unlikely to happen’ as scheduled, Pacers say
The team did not say whether the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities that are scheduled for Feb. 12-14 will be postponed or called off altogether.
Indiana reports smallest number of new COVID-19 cases in two weeks
Marion County reported an increase of 66 cases, snapping a 31-day streak in which cases in the county had risen by more than 100.
Indiana blocks some charter schools from $10M pandemic relief grant program
The Indiana Department of Education is withholding federally funded coronavirus relief grants from schools that also received money through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, according to school leaders.
Sites to offer free child care, e-learning support to Indianapolis children
Several Indianapolis not-for-profits are creating a multi-site community child care network that will provide free e-learning supervision for students whose schools are operating remotely this year.
An Andretti wins first Indy 500 pole for family in 33 years
Marco Andretti was 2 months old the last time his venerable racing family led the field to green at the Indianapolis 500.
Indiana surpasses 80,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases during pandemic
The state’s 7-day testing-positivity rate jumped from 7.6% on Saturday to 8% on Sunday while the overall testing-positivity rate stayed at 8.9%.
Taller cubicles, staggered schedules: Returning office workers forced to adjust
Around the United States, office workers sent home when the pandemic took hold in March are returning to the world of adjustments, but offices in many cities still remain mostly vacant.