Elwood Junior Senior High School temporarily is closing this week. The district started its academic year Thursday. Students will receive instruction virtually this week before resuming their normal schedules.

A report has found that more than half of Indianas nonprofit groups that provide services to those in need have cut back on their programs or reduced their capacity in recent months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the report, between revenue declines and fundraiser cancellations, about 60% of not-for-profits have suspended or ended programs, such as summer camps, after-school programs, mentorships and volunteer programs.

For many Indiana students who returned to classrooms this week for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak forced schools to transition to remote learning last March, the school day offered a mixed bag of emotions, anxiety and plenty of new health-related protocols.

Experts say contact tracing is key to understanding and managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and many community members have questions about the process.

Two former Indiana lieutenant governors called for Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to expand mail-in voting Friday as the coronavirus continues. Without a broad mail-in voting option, former Indiana lieutenant governors John Mutz and Kathy Davis said Friday that fewer voting locations and long lines at polls will further suppress minority, disabled and low-income voters.

In the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation, a student tested positive for the virus on the first day back to class. At Avon High School, a staff member tested positive.

Anti-hunger advocates from around the country say Congress needs to boost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the next COVID-19 relief package.

Health officials warn that water in schools may be contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria and metals from sitting stagnant in the pipes since March.

The conditions have prompted health and fire safety concerns from advocates, politicians -- even employees -- especially in recent weeks as temperatures climbed.

The U.S. economy showed its largest decline in more than 70 years last quarter. The broad measure of economic activity also points to areas where Indiana is struggling.