INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana State Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver will host a virtual media briefing to provide updates on COVID-19 and its impact on Indiana.
WHO:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gov. Holcomb
ISDH Chief Medical Officer Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP
WHEN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, October 21
Staff ReportÂ
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s unemployment rate dropped last month as the state’s economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which began disrupting jobs in March.
The state unemployment rate for September was 6.2%, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s below the national rate, 7.9%, and only a slight decrease from the state unemployment rate of 6.4% in August.
Overall, some 19,691 Hoosiers left the labor force in September, a total that represents 6,289 new unemployed residents and a 13,402 decrease in employed residents.
Employment in the private sector continues to see sharp declines. In September, private sector employment decreased by 4,500 jobs, and the sector has reported some 109,700 lost jobs over the year. The latest monthly decrease is mostly due to job losses in education and health services, where some 4,000 people lost jobs, and in construction, which saw 1,300 jobs lost.
The professional and business services sectors, however, saw 2,000 jobs gained in the last month. Another 800 jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality sectors.
Indiana is faring better than some of its neighbors in the Midwest. Illinois reported a 10.2% unemployment rate for September, while Michigan and Ohio reported rates of 8.5% and 8.4% respectively. Other states in the region, including Kentucky, Minnesota and Wisconsin, are reporting unemployment rates between 5% and 6%.
Indiana’s labor force includes 3.33 million people. The state’s 63% labor force participation rate is above the national rate, 61.4%.
State leaders are moving forward with the Back on Track reopening plan, despite record-breaking case number increases and COVID-19 hospitalization rates not seen since early May.
Tuesday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported another 1,551 Hoosiers were diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total to 150,664. Also, 48 more people have died from the novel coronavirus for a total of 3,775, but the total number exceeds 4,000 when another 233 probable deaths are included. In addition, more than 1,400 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, a level not seen since early to mid-May.
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has repeatedly defended the decision to move forward with reopening, particularly in the interest of protecting livelihoods. He urged citizens to wear masks and practice social distancing as the pandemic continues.
But others have criticized the governor for choosing to reopen. His opponent in the 2020 election, Democrat Dr. Woody Myers, is a former state health commissioner and said there should be more restrictions again until case numbers and hospitalizations are under control.
FOOTNOTE: TheStatehouseFile.com is a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.Â
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Spring Conference Slate Released For UE Volleyball
Aces ready to get back on the floor
After a long year away from competitive action, a giant step forward in the process of returning to the floor took place for the University of Evansville volleyball team on Tuesday as the Missouri Valley Conference released the league schedule for the spring of 2021.
“We are very excited to have a schedule for the Spring semester. The girls have been working very hard since July – they were ready for a fall season,†Purple Aces head volleyball coach Fernando Morales said. “The extra time has given us a chance to introduce the freshmen to our playing system and to work on more specific things with the returners. We are ready for the challenge and are looking forward to being back in the gym.â€
UE is coming off of its best season in over a decade. Evansville advanced to the MVC Championships for the first time since 2008 while achieving a winning record with a 16-14 mark in the fall of 2019.
The 2021 schedule format will look a little different than what fans have become accustomed to. In previous seasons, a team would play two teams in back-to-back days, usually on a Friday and Saturday. In a new format that has been put in place for the 2021 campaign, teams will play the same opponent in consecutive days with play taking place on Sunday and Monday.
Conference play officially commences on Sunday, February 7 and the 8th at home against UNI. It is the start of a very competitive start to the year as the Aces will play three of the top four conference teams from 2019 in the opening three weekends of play. The Panthers won the regular season conference crown in 2019 with a 17-1 record. Things do not get any easier in the next weekend of play as UE heads to Chicago on 2/14 and 2/15 to face Loyola. The Ramblers were 14-4 in MVC action last season, taking second place.
On 2/21 and 2/22, the Aces return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse for matches against Bradley. Another solid team from 2019, the Braves were 11-7 in the Valley and placed fourth. The next two series will be on the road with UE traveling to Missouri State (2/28 and 3/1) before a pair of matches at Drake (3/7 and 3/8).
Southern Illinois heads to town for matches on March 14 and 15 before UE heads to Normal, Ill. to face Illinois State on 3/21 and 3/22. One of the most exciting moments of the 2019 season saw Evansville defeat the Redbirds in five sets at Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Sept. 30, 2019. Valparaiso will mark the final home opponent, traveling to Evansville for matches on March 27 and 28. This final series will be played on Saturday and Sunday. The travel partner matches against Indiana State will be announced at a later date.
Illinois State will host the MVC Tournament from April 1-3, 2021. Eight teams will be playing in the tournament at Redbird Arena.
Non-conference matches will be announced soon. Teams may begin playing as soon as January 22. All opponents and dates are subject to change.
2021 MVC SCHEDULE
February 7 and 8, 2021 – vs. UNI
February 14 and 15, 2021 – at Loyola
February 21 and 22, 2021 – vs. Bradley
February 28 and March 1, 2021 – at Missouri State
March 7 and 8, 2021 – at Drake
March 14 and 15, 2021 – vs. Southern Illinois
March 21 and 22, 2021 – at Illinois State
March 27 and 28, 2021 – vs. Valparaiso
April 1-3, 2021 – at MVC Tournament (Normal, Ill.)
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP) awarded eight organizations with $1 million in grant funding to expand recycling efforts in Indiana. The eight award recipients are located across the state and will expand recycling efforts through a variety of projects. Below is a list of recipients and their award amounts:
By fostering recycling markets in Indiana through RMDP grants, IDEM supports the growth of the state’s private recycling sector infrastructure. The awarded $1 million in grant funding will go to projects with an expected total investment of more than $3 million. The projects will increase recycling for curbside recyclables, plastics, cardboard and e-waste from municipal solid waste by almost 6,700 tons per year.
More information about the RMDP grant program, including upcoming grant opportunities, can be found on IDEM’s website.
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