News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Midwest Governors Partner To Coordinate Economy Reopening

Governors across several Midwest states – including Indiana – announced Thursday they will work together as they decide when to reopen the economy from their states’ “Stay-At-Home” orders.
Governors across several Midwest states – including Indiana – announced Thursday they will work together as they decide when to reopen the economy from their states’ “Stay-At-Home” orders.

Governors across several Midwest states – including Indiana – announced Thursday they will work together as they decide when to reopen the economy from their states’ “Stay-At-Home” orders.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says he’s already worked closely with neighboring states. The new coalition includes Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

A joint statement from the governors says their top priority in determining how and when to reopen the economy is the health and safety of workers and citizens.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine already announced he plans to reopen businesses May 1. Holcomb says he won’t put a specific date on it.

“I’m going to be looking at the numbers. We’ve said all week long here in the state of Indiana that these next few days are very important to us," Holcomb says. "We want to see this trend hold; we want to see the numbers hold.”

Still, Holcomb says he’s looking at early May for the Hoosier economy to begin reopening.

Contact Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  or the  Indiana State Department of Health  for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.

For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page  here. 

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.