Indiana governor faces debate challenges over virus actions
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb took on conservative criticism over his coronavirus pandemic orders as he faced his two reelection challengers in a televised debate Tuesday night.
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Indiana clerk refuses to wear mask while administering polls
A county clerk in rural Indiana says she will not wear a mask while overseeing early voting despite the county’s surge of coronavirus cases and warnings from a state official.
Indiana providing rental assistance during virus outbreak
Indiana’s Rental Assistance Portal is accepting applications for a program that provides eligible renters with up to six months in rental assistance to help cover past due and ongoing monthly payments.
AG Hill: Holcomb violated constitution with COVID church closures
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s restriction on in-person religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic was a violation of the First Amendment, Attorney General Curtis Hill said in a new advisory opinion. His opinion comes despite recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have upheld state restrictions on churches imposed in response to the pandemic.
Indiana officials outline response to state’s virus hotspots
Indiana health officials confirmed 28 more COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, and the state’s seven-day rolling average of new cases of the respiratory disease has doubled in three weeks.
Holcomb tests negative for COVID-19
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has tested negative for COVID-19, his office announced Thursday morning. Holcomb was tested “out of an abundance of caution” after Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box tested positive earlier this week.
Holcomb extends Indiana mask mandate; health commissioner tests positive
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he would extend the state’s mask mandate for another month amid sharply rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. He made the announcement while revealing that Dr. Kristina Box, the state’s health commissioner, had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
7th Circuit upholds noon Election Day deadline for receipt of absentee ballots
Absentee ballots received by local election officials after noon on Election Day will not be counted, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, reversing a lower court that had issued an injunction in light of likely mail slowdowns caused by a surge in mail-in voting due to the pandemic.
Marion Superior Court releases pandemic-related jury service PSA
Just months after the Marion Superior Court commenced in-person jury trials after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the court has released a public service announcement to better inform prospective jurors about newly implemented safety procedures.
Stafford: Indiana has all sorts of election laws, but few favor voters
The Indiana Lawyer editorial staff has been covering Indiana’s voter suppression laws and how they are holding up to court challenges. So far, so good for several statutes, which is awful news for democracy and the right to vote.
IndyBar Guest Column: Crisis Empowerment Grant Update (and a Plea for Day of Giving)
The Crisis Empowerment Grant Program was a wholesale success! More than 110 cases were settled and dozens of cases have been finalized and paid out. More than 40 cases are still active and the selected lawyers continue to work with their clients to assist with their legal issues.
Lilly seeks emergency use of its antibody drug for COVID-19
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company says it has asked the U.S. government to allow emergency use of an experimental antibody therapy based on early results from a study that suggested the drug reduced symptoms, the amount of virus, hospitalizations and ER visits for patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.
VP debate takeaways: Pandemic looms over a more civil fight
Vice President Mike Pence faced considerable pressure at Wednesday’s debate to boost coronavirus-stricken President Donald Trump’s flagging reelection hopes, while California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris balanced her role as Joe Biden’s validator with her own historic presence as the first Black woman on a major party national ticket.
Indiana attorney general candidates split over virus powers
Indiana’s attorney general candidates are divided over how the Republican governor has used the state’s emergency powers law to impose a mask mandate and other coronavirus-related executive orders that have stirred discord among conservative voters.
Conrad Indianapolis hotel owners sue insurer over refusal to pay pandemic claims
The owner and operator of the high-end downtown Conrad Indianapolis hotel has sued its insurer for denial of millions of dollars in pandemic-related claims.
Infected senator vows ‘moon suit’ to vote for Barrett
Shuttered by COVID-19 infections, the Republican-led Senate is refusing to delay confirmation of President Donald Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court. They are even willing to make special arrangements so sick senators can vote for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and Democrats appear powerless to stop them.
Trump, still infectious, back at White House — without mask
President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19. He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans — and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
Trump aims for Monday release after supporter drive-by
President Donald Trump was hoping for a Monday discharge from the military hospital where he is being treated for COVID-19, a day after he briefly ventured out while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade in a move that disregarded precautions meant to contain the deadly virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.
Sources: Barrett, husband had coronavirus, recovered
Supreme Court nominee, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge and University of Notre Dame Law School professor Amy Coney Barrett and her husband, Jesse, had coronavirus earlier this year and recovered, according to two administration officials.
Mail-in voting advocates alert 7th Circuit to dispute with state’s argument
Plaintiffs in Indiana’s vote by mail case are questioning the state’s assertion made this week in oral arguments to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that Hoosiers can request a special exemption from the Indiana Election Commission to cast an absentee ballot if they do not meet one of the law’s categories of who may vote by mail.