Starting Wednesday, March 25, childcare for 100 children, ages 5 to 12, will be available for families of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, and public safety communication with a 50 percent discount.

WFYI's Jill Ditmire spoke with Arts Council Executive Director Julie Goodman about the fund and how it can help individuals and organizations.

Hair salons, tattoo parlors and others will be expected to close. The order exempts many businesses including grocery stores, banks and pharmacies, and allows restaurants to continue offering take-out services.

On Monday, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced new steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, putting in place a "stay-at-home" order.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett directed Marion County residents to stay home to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The city has now implemented the highest level of travel restrictions within its authority and ordered nonessential businesses closed.

The order will shut down businesses that arent considered essential, leaving many without jobs starting Wednesday. The Department of Workforce Development is telling all workers finding themselves without a job to apply for unemployment insurance online.

Many closed schools are adapting lessons to continue online or with other take-home materials, but one expert says expecting all students to keep learning at the same pace from home can widen existing equity gaps in education.

Relief efforts are underway in Southport to assist the elderly and others during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Eli Lilly is now offering drive-through testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 for Indianapolis health care workers.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will address the state Monday at 12 p.m. with the latest on developments in slowing the spread of COVID-19.