Holcomb relaxing coronavirus limits on crowd sizes
Indiana’s crowd size limits will be relaxed starting next week after recent improvements in the statewide COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates, the governor announced Wednesday.
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COVID liability immunity bills advance, but questions of scope remain
Legislation in the Indiana Senate that would protect businesses from COVID-related liability is one step closer to becoming law, having reached the full Senate floor for a successful vote on an amendment offered by the bill’s author. Meanwhile, companion legislation in the Indiana House passed out of committee this week.
Biden to reopen ‘Obamacare’ markets for COVID-19 relief
Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Joe Biden plans to reopen the HealthCare.gov insurance markets for a special sign-up opportunity geared to people needing coverage in the coronavirus pandemic.
Revamped bill would severely limit government’s ability to restrict business, church operations
A Republican lawmaker is seeking to severely limit the restrictions that state and local governments can impose on businesses and churches as COVID-19 continues to spread across Indiana.
SCOTUS won’t hear Nevada church’s COVID-19 case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused a rural Nevada church’s request to enter a legal battle over the government’s authority to limit the size of religious gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the church won an appeals court ruling last month that found Nevada’s restrictions unconstitutional.
Biden more bullish on vaccines, open to 1.5M daily shot goal
President Joe Biden appeared to boost his goal for coronavirus vaccinations in his first 100 days in office, suggesting the nation could soon be injecting 1.5 million shots on an average per day.
Biden to reinstate COVID travel rules, add South Africa
President Joe Biden on Monday will formally reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, the United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across open borders, according to two White House officials.
Biden ordering stopgap help as talks start on big aid plan
President Joe Biden plans to take executive action Friday to provide a stopgap measure of financial relief to millions of Americans while Congress begins to consider his much larger $1.9 trillion package to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
State seeks to make it easier for Hoosiers to age at home rather than nursing homes
Indiana officials say they want to make it possible for more Hoosiers to age at home rather than at nursing homes, especially as the pandemic continues to sweep across America.
Pence returns to Columbus hometown as vice presidency ends
Former Vice President Mike Pence returned Wednesday to his Indiana hometown of Columbus, where he told a small crowd of family members and supporters that serving in the White House was the greatest honor of his life.
Biden to sign virus measures, requires mask use to travel
Deep in the deadliest coronavirus wave and facing worrisome new strains, President Joe Biden will initiate a national COVID-19 strategy to ramp up vaccinations and testing, reopen schools and businesses and increase the use of masks — including a requirement that Americans mask up for travel.
Buttigieg aims for ‘generational’ change at Transportation
President Joe Biden’s nominee for secretary of transportation, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, is pledging to carry out the administration’s ambitious agenda to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, calling it a “generational opportunity” to create new jobs, fight economic inequality and stem climate change.
On Day One, Biden to undo Trump policies on climate, virus
In his first hours as president, Joe Biden will aim to strike at the heart of President Donald Trump’s policy legacy, signing a series of executive actions that will reverse his predecessor’s orders on immigration, climate change and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Holcomb announces plans for new regional collaboration initiative in state address
In a recorded State of the State address Tuesday night, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced plans for a regional investment program that would be similar to a popular initiative the Legislature chose two years ago not to keep funding.
Law firm mergers expected to rebound in 2021
The global pandemic halted the skyrocketing law firm mergers of recent years. However, the forces driving these combinations in the past have continued despite the coronavirus outbreak and will likely ignite more deals if people are able to return to some sort of a pre-pandemic lifestyle.
Family sues nursing home after father’s death during pandemic
Hoosier Ken Burgin is honoring his late father, Kenneth “Butch” Burgin, by advocating on his behalf after Butch’s unexpected death just two months after becoming a resident at an Owen County nursing home last year.
Law firms keep focus on clients as changes continue
While predictions early in the pandemic of law firms closing and lawyers standing in unemployment lines have been replaced by a budding confidence, the global public health crisis did remind the legal profession that a central tenet of their job remained unchanged: They must stay focused on the needs of their clients.
Trimble: New Year’s resolutions after a tumultuous 2020
Indianapolis lawyer John Trimble exhorts members of the legal profession to shake off the malaise and resolve to charge ahead into 2021 with the renewed vigor to get through the mountain of challenges and to do what we can to make things better.
Housing bills drawing outside attention but no committee hearings
A bill has been introduced in the Indiana House that resurrects language Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed last legislative session and housing rights group say would put more Hoosiers at risk of eviction.
Virtual Indiana State of State speech amid protest threat
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s annual State of the State address will be a virtual event Tuesday night rather than delivered before the typical joint session of the General Assembly.