Indiana's unemployment rate for October is 6.4 percent. That is up from 6.2 percent in September and at the same level as August. Before that, the rate had not been this high since February of 1987. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state's rate is still lower than surrounding states and the national average of 6.5 percent. The unemployment figures were released as President George W. Bush signed an extension of unemployment benefits.
Russia to ban pork from Indiana plant
Russia will not allow pork shipments from the Indiana Packers Corp.
plant in Delphi. The USDA Food, Safety and Inspection Service Web site has posted a brief notice that Russia will stop accepting pork from the facility beginning November 24th. The Russian government says it made the decision after the discovery of salmonella in a pork shipment.
IU to use Lilly Endowment grant to keep graduates in Indiana
Lilly Endowment Inc. is providing Indiana University with a $2.75 million grant to help reverse the "brain drain." The money will support the five-year Initiative to Promote Opportunities through Educational Collaborations. It will aim to increase the number of college graduates who stay and work in the state. The university will provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds to support the initiative at IU Bloomington, IUPUI and its regional campuses.
Bayh wants auto industry bailout
U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) is urging his colleagues to support action that he says will help the struggling American auto industry. The $25 billion bailout plan appears stalled in the Senate. Bayh says tens of thousands of jobs hang in the balance and believes if the federal government does not act "it will have unintended consequences, none of them positive."
Indianapolis lands 7th men's final four
The NCAA has announced Indianapolis will play host to the 2015 Men's Final Four. The basketball championship will be at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis is also scheduled to be the site of the 2010 Final Four.
The NCAA announced last week the city will be the location for the 2016 Women's Final Four. Indianapolis will also have the women's event in 2011.
