Indiana’s restaurants continue to recover from the impact of COVID-19, but hotels continue to face challenges. Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Patrick Tamm praised the state’s recovery process during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingState Officials Considering How to Spend COVID-19 Relief Money
State officials are figuring out how they’ll spend Indiana’s share of the latest federal COVID-19 relief package. During Wednesday’s press conference, Governor Holcomb noted that it’ll include about $3 billion for the state and another $3 billion for local governments.
Continue readingState Officials Continue Outreach Efforts to Encourage Vaccination
Hoosiers at the younger end of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility range are not signing up as quickly as older residents. During Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said her department continues to work with populations where there’s been a lot of vaccine hesitancy.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Says Indiana Is Getting Fewer Vaccine Doses than Other States
About 13 percent of Indiana’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But health officials say the state is getting fewer doses per resident than many others.
Continue readingHolli Sullivan Named Indiana Secretary of State
A state representative from Evansville has been named Indiana’s next secretary of state. Holli Sullivan has been selected by Governor Holcomb to fill the remainder of Connie Lawson’s term.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Urges Worshipers to Keep Wearing Masks in Church for Now
The idea of churches not requiring face masks is drawing concern from the state health commissioner. During Wednesday’s press conference, Dr. Kris Box noted that there may still be some high-risk individuals who haven’t been vaccinated yet.
Continue readingGovernor Plans to Address State about COVID-19 Roadmap
With COVID-19 cases down and vaccinations on the rise, Governor Eric Holcomb is planning an announcement about Indiana’s path forward.
Continue readingTeachers, School Staff to Be Fully Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine in Indiana Starting Monday
Indiana teachers will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine at any vaccination site in the state starting Monday. It’s been available to educators at pharmacies taking part in the federal vaccination program for the past few days.
Continue readingOne Year after COVID-19’s Arrival, State Officials Are Cautiously Optimistic
Today marks one year since Indiana reported its first case of COVID-19. It was on the morning of Friday, March 6, 2020 when state officials announced that a Marion County resident who had recently traveled to Boston had tested positive for the coronavirus. A week later, schools began to close, and a couple weeks after that, Indiana was under a stay-at-home order.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Gets COVID-19 Vaccine
Governor Eric Holcomb got his COVID-19 vaccine Friday. The governor joined a number of other elected officials in getting the shot at the drive-through mass vaccination site set up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Sticking with Mask Order As Some States Lift Theirs
While some states are lifting their mask mandates, Governor Holcomb wants Indiana to continue on its current path. “In regards to Texas and Mississippi . . . good on them,” Holcomb said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference. “They’ve got great leaders. But I’m looking at very local information. I’m very Indiana-centric about this, and I’m really happy about the path that we’re on to get to that light at the end of the tunnel.”
Continue readingTeachers to Be Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine under Federal but not State Guidelines
Indiana teachers will soon be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but how exactly they’ll be able to do that is complicated. “We received word from the federal government that they were going to provide doses to the federal pharmacy program for teachers to become prioritized across the country, obviously, including here in the State of Indiana,” Governor Holcomb said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference.
Continue readingIndiana Again Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
Indiana has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to any Hoosier age 50 and older. Governor Holcomb announced the expansion during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Continue readingState Officials Defending Age-Based Vaccine Rollout amid Calls for Teacher Vaccination
There’s still no word on when teachers may become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Indiana is using an age-based approach to the vaccine rollout, with the only exceptions being health care workers, first responders, and now individuals with specific medical conditions.
Continue readingGovernor Responds to Last Week’s House Debate over John Glenn School Annexation Bill
Last week’s heated debate over a bill that would let the John Glenn School Corporation try to annex territory from the South Bend Community School Corporation that began in Indiana House of Representatives and spilled out into the hallway has drawn a response from Governor Holcomb.
Continue readingJohnson & Johnson Vaccine Could Arrive in Indiana Next Week
A third COVID-19 vaccine could arrive in Indiana as soon as next week. An emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently under consideration with the FDA.
Continue readingGovernor to Extend COVID-19 Restrictions by another Month
Indiana’s current COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for another 30 days. During his weekly press conference Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said he plans to extend both his executive order and the public health emergency declaration. “We have made remarkable progress in relatively a short period of time,” Holcomb said. “This is not a ‘mission accomplished’ moment.”
Continue readingGovernor Monitoring Wind, Solar Legislation Moving through General Assembly
A bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm developments from counties to the state continues to move forward in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1381 passed out of the House Wednesday by a vote of 58-to-38. It now goes to the Indiana Senate for further consideration.
Continue readingWinter Weather Impacting COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments, Vaccination Appointments
This week’s winter weather has prompted Indiana to wait until at least next week to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. During Wednesday’s press conference, Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver said that more than 43,000 appointments have been impacted by the winter storm.
Continue readingSecretary of State Lawson Announces Resignation
Indiana’s secretary of state is stepping down. In a press release Monday, Connie Lawson said she is resigning to focus on her health and family. She plans to submit a formal resignation once Governor Holcomb selects a replacement.
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