In response to a nearly $1 billion revenue shortfall due to the novel coronavirus, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced plans to reduce agency appropriations for the next fiscal year – with additional maintenance and capital projects on the chopping block. 

State agencies are being asked to review operations, space, travel and hiring to cut their budgets by 15 percent.

State Health Commissioner Kris Box has for weeks been urging people in high-risk populations – those 65 and older or with underlying health conditions – to get tested for COVID-19.

But Box also says that guidance doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone in those groups.

Indiana’s unemployment rate for April skyrocketed to almost 17 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday. That is, by far, the highest level of unemployment ever recorded in the state.

Early one April morning, inmates at Indiana’s Plainfield Correctional Facility found a fellow inmate unconscious in his bed. 

“He was barely breathing when we first tried to wake him up,” says one of the inmates, who asked to be identified by his middle name, Andrew, because he feared retaliation from prison staff. “For about 20, 25 minutes, the [correctional officers] were trying to wake him up, so finally, they called the medical emergency.” 

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has seen an increase in hunting licenses recently, likely due to “Stay-At-Home” orders and unemployment from COVID-19. It's the first time license sales have been up in several years. 

DNR Director Cameron Clark says hunting license sales have gone up by about 13,000 — especially for spring turkey hunts. He says combination hunting and fishing licenses are also up by about 1,800.

“With the 'Stay-At-Home' order and some people out of work, we figured more people had the time to get out and hunt,” Clark says.

There are many names for the bicycle: Bike, cycle, two-wheeler, Bichael (its full name given by the internet), the penny farthing, etc. This fascinating nonfiction book uses the nickname The Mechanical Horse. West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

After six weeks of steep declines, the number of people filing new claims for unemployment benefits in Indiana remained largely unchanged last week. That’s based on data released Thursday by the Department of Labor.

Last week, 30,311 Hoosiers applied for unemployment benefits. It’s only about 400 fewer people than the week before when 30,691 Hoosiers started claims.

This week on WBAA’s Ask The Mayor: Stage 3 of Indiana’s reopening plan kicks off tomorrow. Cities across the state will be monitoring how residents use newly available spaces like basketball courts and playgrounds – including Frankfort, where the parks department is reminding citizens they have a part in keeping things clean and safe. What’s the plan for making sure social distancing is in place?