WBAA | Public Radio from Purdue

Where Gov. Holcomb's Emergency Powers Come From

By Brandon Smith • Apr 3, 2020

Hoosiers will remain under a “Stay-At-Home” order for the next couple of weeks after Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday he will extend his directive.

Provisions in state law empower the governor to make and enforce such an order.

How Interpreters Are Essential To Flattening The Curve

By Annacaroline Caruso • Apr 3, 2020

Public information about the coronavirus is critical to keep people healthy, or treat them when they get sick.

Making sure everyone can understand accurate information about the virus is essential to flattening the curve.

Understanding the information a doctor is saying might be especially difficult for non-english speaking patients.

That’s why Paul Beltran with Indiana Health Center in South Bend said interpreters are essential in healthcare at all times.

Holcomb To Extend 'Stay-At-Home' Order, National Guard Assesses Hospital Capacity

By Lauren Chapman • Apr 3, 2020

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday he will extend the state’s “Stay-At-Home” order through April 20.

The state’s current order expires at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

“We’ve taken the two-week approach because it gives us – we’re more nimble to be able to address the executive order in its entirety,” Holcomb says.

Holcomb says he’ll announce new changes to the order Monday, which could include some of what other states have done – like limiting the number of people allowed in stores.

IRS Warns Hoosiers About Scams Involving Federal Coronavirus Relief Payments

By Brandon Smith • Apr 3, 2020

Federal officials are warning Hoosiers to watch out for scams related to COVID-19 – everything from fake charities to bogus stimulus checks.

IRS Special Agent In Charge Kathy Enstrom says she expects some of those scams to increase as federal relief money gets sent to Americans.

“The IRS will not call, email or send you a message through social media asking you to sign up or verify any information in order for you to receive the economic impact payment,” Enstrom says.

26 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases In Tippecanoe County

By Emilie Syberg • Apr 3, 2020

Tippecanoe County’s COVID-19 cases rose to 26 Friday, and the Indiana State Department of Health map showed 436 tests for county residents have been reported to the agency.

Statewide, the COVID-19 case tally reached 3,437. ISDH also reported 102 Hoosier deaths from the novel coronavirus Friday morning.

Coronavirus: K-12 Buildings Closed For School Year, Indiana Gets 'C' In Social Distancing

By Lauren Chapman • Apr 3, 2020

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 13 additional deaths Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 78. The state announced a total of more than 3,000 confirmed cases, with more than 16,000 Hoosiers tested.

K-12 School Buildings Closed For Academic Year

Indiana K-12 schools will not reopen this academic year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Howard County Officials Roll Back Rule Barring Sales Of Non-Essential Items

By Samantha Horton • Apr 2, 2020

Howard County commissioners are pulling back an ordinance they put into effect over the weekend restricting essential businesses from selling non-essential items. This past weekend residents were out of luck if they wanted to purchase games, books, music and other non-essential items locally.

The updated rule now allows people to buy any item, but mandates “one shopper, one cart.”

K-12 School Buildings Closed For Academic Year, Graduation Requirements Adjusted

By Brandon Smith & Jeanie Lindsay • Apr 2, 2020

Indiana K-12 schools will not reopen this academic year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The Indiana Department of Education ordered schools Thursday to develop plans to prepare for the long-term fallout from that decision.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says those “continuous learning plans" will help the state see how schools will continue educating all kindergarteners through high school juniors while buildings remain shut.

Ask The Mayor: West Lafayette's John Dennis On Social Distance At Home And City Parks

By Emilie Syberg • Apr 2, 2020

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Indiana is in week two of a statewide stay-at-home order. How are West Lafayette residents responding to the restrictions, and how will the city respond if the order is extended? And what’s the continued impact for local businesses on lockdown?

Coronavirus: Officials Confident Testing Is Increasing, Federal Law Provides Paid Leave

By Lauren Chapman • Apr 2, 2020

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 16 additional deaths Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 65. The state announced a total of 2,565 confirmed cases, with more than 14,000 Hoosiers tested.

Officials Confident COVID-19 Testing Is Increasing

Indiana officials say the state’s capacity to test people for COVID-19 is increasing, even as the growth in testing slowed over the last few days.

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In Studio WBAA: Juliana Soltis

In Studio WBAA is an occasional series from our studios in Purdue's Elliott Hall of Music, featuring conversation and performance from tfine musicians in West Central Indiana and beyond. WBAA Content Director Greg Kostraba began the series with guest Baroque cellist Juliana Soltis, who introduces us to the Bach Cello Suites by Johann Sebastian Bach, and performs selections from several of them.

Beautiful Music in Difficult Times