Indiana reports 673 additional COVID-19 cases, three more deaths
The 7-day testing-positivity rate dipped from 7.7% on Sunday to 7.3% on Monday. The state’s overall testing-positivity rate remained at 8.8%.
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Downtown spa closes after 30 years, citing pandemic, downtown riots
Studio 2000 Salon & Day Spa—one of the largest day spas in the Indianapolis area—has closed permanently after the owners found the pandemic-related business downturn and the deterioration of downtown in recent months became too much to overcome.
Simon could fill empty mall anchor spaces with Amazon fulfillment centers
In addition, Amazon also has been talking to multiple mall landlords about putting its planned grocery-store chain in former J.C. Penney locations, according to a published report.
Power Five sports conferences consider following MAC in canceling fall sports
The commissioners of the Big Ten and other Power Five conferences met Sunday to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic.
Pandemic leads to boom in plastic surgery
For many high-end cosmetic surgeons, the rest of 2020 looks set to be a blockbuster period for nips and tucks.
Trump’s executive orders spark confusion; Democrats assail them as ‘unworkable’
President Trump’s directives were aimed at offering new unemployment benefits, protecting renters and postponing the payment of a federal tax. But an array of economists and lawmakers depicted these policies as unworkable or legally questionable.
Indiana tops 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for fourth straight day
The Indiana State Department on Sunday also reported the testing of 12,766 more individuals, the second-highest daily total since the beginning of the pandemic.
In executive actions, Trump extends jobless benefit, defers payroll taxes
Two measures signed by President Trump on Saturday aim to provide $400 in weekly unemployment aid and defer payroll tax payments for people who earn less than $100,000. Two others are related to eviction protections and student loan relief.
State reports more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for third straight day
Marion County saw an increase of 198 cases, the 23nd straight day that cases in the county have risen by more than 100.
State revenue collections show impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Indiana’s monthly revenue report, released Friday, shows that the state is still falling short of the funds that were expected when the forecast was made last December.
Indiana seeks $2.2M from Daleville district for alleged virtual school fraud
State auditors said Daleville Community Schools failed to hold Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy to their charter contracts, review the schools’ finances, or press for improvements.
White House, Democrats try to revive coronavirus relief talks
White House adviser Larry Kudlow said Friday that President Trump is poised to sign executive orders deferring payroll taxes and taking other steps to address the weak economy if there’s no deal with congressional Democrats.
Ohio governor’s COVID-19 results show testing imperfections
The governor tested positive using a rapid test Thursday, before testing negative later in the day using a more sensitive laboratory-developed test.
Postal Service loses $2.2B in three months as virus woes persist
The new postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, offered a gloomy picture of the 630,00-employee agency Friday in his first public remarks since taking the top job in June.
Fed official defends slow start to Main Street loan program
A top Federal Reserve official on Friday said the small number of loans approved so far would likely expand by a significant amount in coming months, especially if the pandemic worsens.
Indiana reports another high mark in COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health on Friday also reported the testing of 12,884 more individuals, the second-highest total during the pandemic. The previous high was 13,540 on June 18.
U.S. adds better-than-expected 1.8M jobs in slowing rebound
July’s job gain was much lower than June’s 4.8 million and May’s 2.7 million jobs. The unemployment rate did decline in July, from 11.1% to 10.2%.
White House, Democrats still far apart on virus relief deal
White House officials and Democratic leaders ended a three-hour negotiation Thursday evening without a coronavirus relief deal or even a clear path forward, with both sides remaining far part on critical issues.
Indiana schools hoping to avoid lawsuits as they reopen
If schools choose to reopen knowing the potential health risk, it raises an important question: How liable are school districts if a student or teacher contracts COVID-19?
Fed’s Main Street pandemic loan program off to slow start
The Federal Reserve says that its Main Street Lending Program designed to help small and medium-sized companies get through the pandemic has managed to make just eight loans in its first month of operations.