Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box presented her concerns over the increase of COVID-19 cases in the past month.
Continue readingState Health Officials Concerned about Increased COVID-19 Positivity Rate
Governor Holcomb Won’t Take Part in Trick-Or-Treating This Year
As the decision of whether to move ahead with trick-or-treating is mostly being left up to individual residents, Governor Eric Holcomb will be among those not taking part. “In the interest of safety, unfortunately – I have mixed feelings about this – but we’re not going to host Halloween this year at the residence, so no trick-or-treating at the Governor’s Residence this year,” Holcomb said during his COVID-19 press conference Wednesday. “We’re going to try to make that up somehow, some way, creatively, in the future.”
Continue readingGov. Holcomb Likely to Keep Mask Mandate for Foreseeable Future But Hopes to Avoid Stay-At-Home Restrictions
Hoosiers will likely be required to wear face masks for the foreseeable future, but Governor Holcomb is hesitant to reinstate stay-at-home restrictions, even as COVID-19 cases increase. During state officials’ press conference Wednesday, Indiana Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver noted that there are now twice as many Hoosiers hospitalized with COVID-19 than there were in late June or early July.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Continues Recovering from COVID-19
Indiana’s state health commissioner says her experience with COVID-19 demonstrates how big of a difference the proper precautions can make. Dr. Kris Box, who’s currently quarantined after testing positive, gave an update by phone during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Urges Hoosiers to Keep Taking Precautions as COVID-19 Spread Increases
More Indiana counties are seeing more COVID-19 spread. The state’s color-coded map has fewer counties in blue than it did last week and more in the yellow and orange categories.
Continue readingGovernor Details Stage 5 of Back on Track Plan, Extends Public Health Emergency
Stage 5 of Indiana’s Back on Track plan officially takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Governor Holcomb outlined the details in an executive order Thursday. The order says, “The implementation of Stage 5 brings Indiana to a new normal.”
Continue readingIndiana to Advance to Stage 5 of Back on Track Plan, Mask Order to Remain in Effect
Indiana is advancing to Stage 5 of its Back on Track plan on Saturday, but the statewide mask order will remain in effect. Governor Eric Holcomb announced the move Wednesday.
Continue readingGovernor: Wearing Masks Lets Businesses Stay Open
Wearing masks not only keeps people healthy but it’s also what’s allowing businesses to stay open, according to Governor Eric Holcomb. “You mask up to stay open,” he said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference. “If you care about Main Street, if you care about the economy, you only have to look around into some other places that are doing the opposite, closing down. And so I don’t like them either, but it’s just a fact of life right now. And it is a fact of, underscore three times, life!”
Continue readingNorthwest Indiana Designated a 21st Century Talent Region
A seven-county region that includes Starke and Pulaski counties is being recognized for its efforts to develop and attract top talent. Northwest Indiana was officially designated as the state’s eighth 21st Century Talent Region during a virtual event Friday.
Continue readingState Health Officials Working on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan
The Indiana State Department of Health is getting ready for a COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says state health officials are scheduled to meet with the CDC today to discuss the official rollout.
Continue readingState Board of Education Takes Action on Funding for Virtual Students But Won’t Move Count Date
Schools that have switched to virtual learning will continue to be fully funded, even though the fall student count date will not be pushed back.
Continue readingIndiana Announces New Guidelines to Help Schools Respond to Spread of COVID-19
As schools consider whether to stay open, cancel sporting events, or move classes online, state health officials are offering some guidance with a new color-coded map.
Continue readingIndiana to Remain in Stage 4.5 of Back on Track Plan
Indiana will remain in Stage 4.5 of Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track plan for another 30 days. During a press conference Wednesday, the governor announced that he plans to extend the current stage, along with the statewide mask mandate, through September 25.
Continue readingGovernor to Require State Troopers to Use Body Cameras as Part of Equity and Inclusion Strategy
Indiana State Police troopers will be required to use body cameras by next spring. It’s one of a number of steps announced by Governor Eric Holcomb Tuesday, as part of his larger strategy to address equity and inclusion.
Continue readingState Officials Still Have Questions about President’s Unemployment Memorandum
State officials say they’re still looking into how to implement the extra unemployment benefits promised by President Trump. Unemployment recipients were given another $600 a week during the pandemic, but that officially ended July 31.
Continue readingGovernor, Legislative Leaders Ask State Board of Education to Delay Student Count
Making sure schools are fully funded, even if they offer virtual learning, is the goal of a new recommendation from Governor Holcomb and legislative leaders. Back in June, the governor said he’d endorsed a plan to continue to fund students at 100 percent, if they’re out of the classroom due to COVID-19.
Continue readingState School Superintendent Awaiting Guidance on Standardized Testing
Whether or not standardized testing will proceed as usual this school year still remains to be seen. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick says it’s ultimately up to the federal government, state lawmakers, or an executive order from Governor Holcomb, to provide the necessary waivers.
Continue readingIndiana Expanding Peer Recovery for Hoosiers with Mental Health Issues, Substance Use Disorder
Efforts are underway to expand peer recovery options for Hoosiers dealing with mental health issues and substance use disorder. Governor Holcomb announced this week that more than a million dollars in federal funding has been made available to add at least 40 full- and part-time peer recovery specialists at 16 recovery-based organizations around the state.
Continue readingVoter Fraud Fears Not Weighing into Governor’s Considerations on Mail-In Voting
Governor Holcomb still isn’t recommending a switch to no-excuse mail-in voting for the General Election. But he says fears about voter fraud are not part of his thought process, and neither is President Trump.
Continue readingIndiana Makes $10 Million Available to Help Arts Organizations, Festival Organizers
Indiana arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be able to apply for a share of $10 million. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch announced Wednesday that the Indiana Destination Development Corporation will be offering grants with federal funding from the CARES Act.
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