Barry Landy was waiting early Monday morning when the Marion County Health Department opened the doors to its COVID-19 vaccination clinic in a shopping mall on the northwest side. The 80-year old Landy spent nearly two hours on Friday securing his appointment. His efforts paid off as he became the first senior as well as the first person to receive the coronavirus shot at the site. Since Friday, people older than 80 have joined health care personnel and first responders in the eligibility pool for the vaccine, so Landy could not claim the title of first Indianapolis senior to be vaccinated. Landy, however, wasn’t concerned about […]Read more >

On Monday, Indiana joined a growing number of states that have identified cases of a fast-spreading new strain of the coronavirus. The new variant, which is not thought to carry a higher risk of severe disease or death, was first seen in the United Kingdom. It’s behind England’s latest lockdown. Like other states, Indiana has been monitoring samples from coronavirus tests to determine whether the variant is circulating. Indiana Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratories confirmed the presence of the strain in Indiana, health officials said Monday. “It’s common for viruses to […]Read more >

Nearly 2,500 additional cases of COVID-19 in Indiana schools were reported Monday by the Indiana State Department of Health, as students began returning to classrooms after the winter break. Of the additional cases reported Monday, 1,658 occurred in students, 375 occurred in teachers and 372 occurred in school staff members. Most of the newly-reported cases occurred in the last week, although some did go back as early as November. Want more education news? Sign up for Study Hall, our free weekly education newsletter Most schools resumed instruction — in-person or otherwise — last week, after the holiday break. The state health […]Read more >

Gov. Eric Holcomb was sworn into his second term Monday morning, capping off a first term afflicted by COVID-19. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Attorney General Todd Rokita also were inaugurated. During a brief speech, Holcomb recognized the struggles that COVID-19 has brought Hoosiers but remained optimistic in his messaging. "I will not ever minimize the challenges that we still face of emerging from this pandemic, sustaining our recovery, continuing to strengthen our state and extending opportunity to all Hoosiers," Holcomb said. "That is the work before us for sure. But I remain convinced that for Indiana the future is in […]Read more >