There's a lot of COVID-19 data available through state and federal resources. But those numbers can be confusing or raise questions. That's inspired some people to do their own data-tracking.

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush and the four other justices all joined online as they heard arguments from attorneys in three cases Thursday morning.

State leaders say the data comes from about 70 percent of Indiana schools that have so far submitted information. About 700 new cases were reported last week.

Most schools in Indiana started the new academic year with some sort of in-person instruction, but teachers say the so-called "hybrid" learning models are burning them out -- fast.

The Indiana State Department of Health and IUPUI will begin the third phase of its COVID-19 tracking study on Sept. 29. This round of the study is set to include children as participants for the first time.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said he would be dropping most other limits on businesses and crowd sizes as of Saturday, but the mask order will be extended until Oct. 17.

Indiana will move to its final reopening phase on Saturday, with one big caveat -- the statewide mask-wearing order will remain in effect.

The Small Business Restart Grant program uses $30 million from the federal CARES Act. But, since June, the state only sent about $1 million out.

Gov. Eric Holcomb's statewide mask mandate and six months of other coronavirus restrictions has stirred discontent among conservatives, complicating his front-runner campaign against underfunded Democratic challenger Woody Myers.

Ball State University will start its spring semester classes a week later than usual and eliminate Spring Break. It's a schedule designed to minimize student travel during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.