One company’s bill for testing Hoosiers for COVID-19: $139.6 million (and counting)
The state of Indiana has paid an outside vendor $139.6 million to perform more than a half-million COVID-19 tests during the pandemic.
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Indiana rushes to spend virus relief aid on new jobs program
Indiana legislators scrambled in the final days of their session to make decisions on spending the state’s $3 billion share of the $350 billion in federal coronavirus relief money approved this year for state and local governments.
Indiana health officials closing state’s virus testing sites
The Indiana Department of Health will close state-sponsored coronavirus testing programs at the end of the month, delegating future tests to pharmacies, community clinics and local health departments, officials announced Thursday.
US increasingly unlikely to meet Biden’s July 4 vax goal
For months, President Joe Biden has laid out goal after goal for taming the coronavirus pandemic and then exceeded his own benchmarks. Now, though, the U.S. is unlikely to meet his target to have 70% of Americans at least partially vaccinated by July 4.
Longtime developer Chambers named Indiana secretary of commerce
Longtime commercial real estate developer Brad Chambers has been named Indiana’s secretary of commerce, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday morning.
Hearing set on whether Indiana governor may sue Legislature
A judge will hear arguments later this month over whether Indiana’s governor can go ahead with a lawsuit challenging the power state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.
For first time, private virtual schools seek to accept vouchers in Indiana
Two new private schools hope to join the growing wave of online education in Indiana and accept state funded-vouchers to subsidize tuition—a first for virtual schools.
Indiana reports 19 more COVID-19 deaths, 674 new cases
The state said 2.47 million Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 2.62 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
Governor wants Indiana state employees in offices in July
Staffers for many state agencies have been working remotely, but Gov. Eric Holcomb said in an email to employees that “it is not the optimal way for us to serve Hoosiers.”
Attorney general argues governor exceeding authority
Attorney General Todd Rokita argues in new legal filings that Gov. Eric Holcomb is wrongly trying to use the courts to expand his powers with a lawsuit challenging the authority state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.
AG argues governor not allowed to override Legislature’s veto
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is doubling down on his argument that the governor cannot turn to the courts to settle the dispute over House Enrolled Act 1123, asserting the executive branch is attempting to use the judiciary to demand a “super” veto of the Legislature.
US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid
Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week — the latest encouraging sign for the rebounding U.S. economy — just as Republican-led states including Indiana are moving to cut off a federal benefit for the jobless.
Holcomb claims Rokita seeking to expand power of attorney general’s office
As part of his battle with the Legislature over executive powers, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is accusing Attorney General Todd Rokita of creating a legal fiction in order to expand the attorney general’s “authority beyond his statutory duties and powers.”
Supreme Court throws abortion fight into center of midterms
In agreeing to hear a potentially groundbreaking abortion case, the Supreme Court has energized activists on both sides of the long-running debate who are now girding to make abortion access a major issue in next year’s midterm elections.
Indiana ending enhanced pandemic jobless aid next month
The changes come as many businesses blame the extra $300 weekly payment and the ease of obtaining unemployment benefits with making it more difficult to fill job openings.
General counsel of state insurance department promoted to top job
Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed Amy Beard to succeed Stephen Robertson, who’d been insurance commissioner since 2010.
More than 2.3 million Hoosiers now fully vaccinated
The state of Indiana said nearly 2.3 million Hoosiers had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. More than 2.5 million had received the first dose of a two-dose vaccination.
Monroe, St. Joseph counties lifting mask orders with new CDC guidance
Two Indiana counties are lifting their local mask mandates after federal health officials eased mask-wearing guidance for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The health departments for the counties that include South Bend and Bloomington are rescinding those local orders, while Indianapolis officials are keeping the city’s mask mandate in place.
Indiana sees big cost jump with new prison medical contract
Indiana could pay about 50% more a year for prison medical services with a new contractor picked by state officials.
Holcomb signs order restoring work-search rule for jobless benefits
Indiana is joining several other states creating more requirements for people to stay on unemployment, with many businesses blaming the ease of obtaining the weekly jobless benefits with making it more difficult to fill job openings.