Indiana unemployment rate stuck at 4.1% while U.S. rate slides
An estimated 137,857 Hoosiers were unemployed and seeking jobs in July, the state reported Friday. That’s was down from 138,192 in June.
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Indiana sets up blue-ribbon commission to modernize state’s public health system
The 15-member commission will be co-chaired by former state Sen. Luke Kenley and former Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe.
Indiana National Guard to help conduct COVID-19 testing as demand skyrockets
Gov. Eric Holcomb acknowledged that people were waiting up to three hours at some sites to get tested as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb across the state to levels not seen since early in the year.
Indiana to continue extra unemployment payments despite winning appeal
The payments will continue because the state must give recipients a 30-day notice that they will stop, which extends past the scheduled Sept. 6 end of the federal pandemic unemployment programs, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said.
Appeals court says state can halt enhanced unemployment benefits
A decision issued Tuesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals is allowing the state to again stop the federal enhanced unemployment benefits that Gov. Eric Holcomb had tried to end in June because he thought the extra money encouraged workers to stay out of the job market.
Indiana’s governor backing schools on mask mandates
Indiana’s governor gave his support Monday to the growing number of school districts across the state issuing mask mandates for students and staff as they try to head off more COVID-19 outbreaks.
Indiana lawmakers head to next step in redistricting after hours of initial public testimony
Lawmakers heard more than two hours of testimony Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse from citizens who spent most of their time asking for a fair redistricting process.
Indiana lawmakers poised for final stop on redistricting listening tour
State lawmakers will convene at the Statehouse on Wednesday for a final hearing before drawing the new district maps.
Indiana construction projects boom thanks to new budget plan
The new state budget adopted in April by the Republican-controlled General Assembly is awash in federal coronavirus relief money, allowing the state to give sizeable funding to projects that had for years been shelved and left out of spending plans.
Indiana buried in unemployment appeals backlog
Indiana has more than 17,000 pending appeals of unemployment-claim denials. Only California, Texas and Virginia—states with much larger populations—have more.
Rokita loses first attempt at state high court to stop governor’s suit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s emergency petition to halt a trial court from continuing proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Legislature.
White River State Park director Mays-Medley stepping down
Carolene Mays-Medley is planning to depart as executive director this fall to pursue a career in inspirational public speaking.
State: Decisions about vaccines, masks are up to school districts, businesses
State health officials say they have no authority to require anyone to get a vaccine, including state employees.
Holcomb extends public emergency as contagious delta variant spreads quickly
The number of Indiana counties approaching high risk for community spread of COVID-19 nearly quadrupled in one week as an especially contagious coronavirus variant spread throughout the state.
State COVID-19 cases continue resurgence, plus 12 more deaths
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported that 1,248 Hoosiers had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the highest number of daily new infections since 1,438 cases were reported on April 29.
Rokita asks Supreme Court to stop proceedings in Holcomb lawsuit against General Assembly
Gov. Eric Holcomb has argued in his lawsuit that only he has the authority to call for a special legislative session. But Attorney General Todd Rokita says Holcomb can’t proceed with the lawsuit without his consent.
State creates trail system for culinary hotspots with digital ‘passport’
Participants can receive rewards for visiting hundreds of food and drink establishments across the state, as well as deals and discounts from the venues.
Crane steps down as head of state’s Department of Administration
Lesley Crane is expected to join the private sector, ending a 14-year career in public service. Her work included serving as former Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma’s chief of staff for five years.
Seven months later, Holcomb to hold inaugural gala
The “boots and black tie” inaugural ball will take place Aug. 21 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.
As coronavirus surges, GOP lawmakers are moving to limit public health powers
In Indiana and other states, anger at perceived overreach by health officials has prompted legislative attempts to limit their authority, including new state laws that prevent the closure of businesses or allow lawmakers to rescind mask mandates.