Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb rolled out a robust Next Level Agenda for 2023. He made the announcement Wednesday, January 4.
Continue readingGovernor Holcomb Releases Next Level Agenda for 2023
Indiana to Launch Connectivity Program to Connect Hoosiers with Broadband Service
The State of Indiana is working to connect Hoosiers with broadband service. The Indiana Connectivity Program officially opens Monday.
Continue readingIndiana Updates COVID-19 Protocols for Schools, Hospitals
Schools that require face masks are being allowed to ease their COVID-19 quarantine procedures. A control measure from the Indiana Department of Health lets close contacts keep attending school, but only if all students and adults in the classroom “correctly and consistently wear well-fitting masks” during the entire school day.
Continue readingIndiana Department of Health Looking to Ramp Up COVID-19 Testing Again
The Indiana Department of Health is ramping up COVID-19 testing, as demand shoots back up. During a press conference Wednesday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box apologized for the long wait times experienced at testing sites.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Leaving Mask Mandates Up to Counties, Urges Hoosiers to Get Vaccinated
Governor Holcomb says he’s happy to leave it up to individual counties to decide on mask mandates. During a press conference Wednesday, Holcomb said the state will continue to make sure local leaders have the information they need to make their own decisions, along with the resources to carry them out.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Establishes Commission to Address Public Health Challenges
Improving Indiana’s public health structure is the goal of a new commission announced by Governor Holcomb Wednesday. Over the next year, the 15-member commission will look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current health system, analyzing funding, staffing challenges, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue readingIndiana Providing another $1.3 Million to Expand Naloxone Distribution
Indiana is stepping up its naloxone distribution, amid a significant increase in overdose deaths. The Governor’s Office says Overdose Lifeline will distribute another 35,000 doses of the opioid overdose reversal medication and place another 215 “NaloxBox” units, thanks to another $1.3 million in state funding. A “NaloxBox” is a hard acrylic box containing six to eight doses of naloxone that organizations can mount outside of their buildings.
Continue readingGovernor Extends Public Health Emergency to Aug. 30
Indiana’s public health emergency has been extended until August 30. Governor Eric Holcomb extended his emergency declaration for a 17th time in an executive order Thursday. That will bring the emergency to almost a year-and-a-half.
Continue readingRusyniak to Replace Sullivan as Indiana FSSA Secretary
Indiana’s top social services official is stepping down. Dr. Jennifer Sullivan is leaving her position as the secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. The Governor’s Office says she’s taken a job in North Carolina as the senior vice president of strategic operations at Atrium Health. Governor Holcomb has appointed FSSA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak to take over as secretary on August 1.
Continue readingPublic Health Emergency Extended to July 31
Indiana’s public health emergency has been extended through the end of July. Governor Eric Holcomb extended his emergency declaration for a 16th time in an executive order Wednesday. That will bring the public health emergency to almost 17 months.
Continue readingGovernor Continues Easing Mask Mandate but They’re Still Required in Some Places
Governor Holcomb is easing some of Indiana’s remaining mask requirements, but a few will remain in place. Starting Tuesday, masks will no longer be required in most state government buildings. But they will still be required at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, Indiana prisons, state hospitals, and other congregate facilities owned by the state.
Continue readingIndiana to End Pandemic Unemployment Programs Next Month
Unemployment benefits that were put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be ending in Indiana on June 19. Governor Eric Holcomb announced Monday that he plans to end the state’s participation in all federally-funded pandemic unemployment programs.
Continue readingHoosiers Getting Unemployment Will Once Again Have to Prove They’re Looking for Work
Hoosiers getting unemployment benefits will once again have to prove that they’re looking for work. Starting June 1, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development will resume requiring weekly work search reports, according to the Governor’s Office.
Continue readingIndiana Launches New Regional Development Initiative
Indiana is making half a billion dollars available for regions to invest in quality of place and talent attraction. The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) was officially launched by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Monday.
Continue readingGovernor, State Health Commissioner Reflect on COVID-19 Response
Leading Indiana through one of the most challenging years in recent history has brought opportunities for inspiration for Governor Eric Holcomb. During last week’s COVID-19 press conference, Holcomb said he doesn’t let the challenge anchor him to a place of despair.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Variants Picking Up Steam, According to State Health Commissioner
Indiana’s state health commissioner is warning Hoosiers not to behave as if the pandemic is over. “We have said before that we are in a race between the vaccine and the variants. Unfortunately, right now, the variants are picking up steam,” Dr. Kris Box said during Wednesday’s press conference. “Indiana has now reported 137 cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant.”
Continue readingGovernor Signs Order to Ease Mask Mandate Next Tuesday
Governor Eric Holcomb is moving ahead with the process of lifting the statewide mask mandate. The governor signed an executive order Wednesday that removes the mask requirement in most circumstances starting on Tuesday, April 6. But during Wednesday’s press conference, Holcomb said he’ll keep an eye on the potential need going forward.
Continue readingHoosiers May Have to Wait Longer for Vaccine Appointments As Eligibility Expands
Indiana plans to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 and older next Wednesday, but it might take a while before they actually get the vaccine. The increase in eligible Hoosiers will likely exceed the increase in available doses next week, but State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says she expects the state to have enough vaccine for everyone who wants it by May.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb to Deliver COVID-19 Address This Evening
Governor Eric Holcomb plans to outline Indiana’s next steps in the COVID-19 response during a statewide address this evening. The address comes one year after Holcomb announced his initial stay-at-home order. It’s also a year since the first local case of COVID-19 was reported in Starke County.
Continue readingState, Federal Income Tax Deadlines Pushed Back to May 17
The State of Indiana is following suit with the federal government and extending the income tax deadline to May 17. Governor Holcomb delayed the state individual income tax filing deadline in an executive order Monday, after the U.S. Treasury extended its deadline last week.
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