NEWS

COVID-19 and its effect on business in Muncie

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States, many restaurants have taken serious precautions by limiting to only curbside dining or carry-out orders, per Executive Order 20-10 signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on March 23. While many mainstream businesses such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell in Muncie can survive under these current conditions, it is the small businesses that could be affected. Muncie has been helpful by providing access to those resources that the United States Department of the Treasury has made available.


NEWS

How COVID-19 affects learning

Many things in the world have changed because of COVID-19. The way people travel, the way they work, if they can work at all, and the ability to eat inside any restaurants right now are all different. Many schools, including Muncie Community Schools are turning to e-learning to continue the learning process. On April 2, Governor Eric Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-16, which canceled in-person classes across the state of Indiana for the rest of the academic year.


NEWS

International students reflect on their transition back to home life

Studying abroad is popularly called one of the most life changing things for college kids, however this year, for many international students in America, their program abroad was unfortunately cut short due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Davis Winn reports on how some students are adapting back in their home countries


MCS-PROJECT

Peers become Pals

Most special education teachers spend their days helping students learn core subjects; however, recent studies have shown that students with disabilities often have lower confidence and self-esteem because it can be hard for them to “view their disability as one component of their lives, not the only component.”




Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, director of public education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools (MCS), speaks with the Student Advisory Board Jan. 22, 2020, at Muncie Central High School. Kwiatkowski said she makes a point to speak with a variety of stakeholders throughout MCS and the Muncie community to make sure she is serving the schools in every way she can. Jake Helmen, DN
MCS PROJECT

Can do, we'll do — together.

“Help me understand that more.” Five simple words that reveal the character of the person making the request. Genuine vulnerability, leadership, humility and confidence are conveyed to those on the receiving end.  It’s a request for insight Lee Ann Kwiatkowski makes of almost every individual she meets — community members, administrators, teachers and students alike. 



Sarah Cook looks at the remnants of houses and mobile homes April 13, 2020, in this Bassfield, Miss., neighborhood. Harper Town was one of many neighborhoods in Mississippi swept by a series of tornadoes, Sunday afternoon and evening. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
NEWS

5 national stories of the week

Storms in the Southeast, detained immigrants seeking protection during the pandemic, the president’s pick losing the Wisconsin court race, cities and counties that could be left out from the $2.2 trillion stimulus package and the president’s new panel for reopening the economy make up this week’s five national stories.


City of Milwaukee Election Commission workers process absentee ballots Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in downtown Milwaukee, Wis. Despite federal health recommendations, thousands of Wisconsin voters waited hours in long lines outside overcrowded polling stations on Tuesday so they could participate in a presidential primary election that tested the limits of electoral politics in the midst of a pandemic. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)
NEWS

Biden, liberal court candidate win chaotic Wisconsin vote

A liberal challenger on Monday ousted a conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice endorsed by President Donald Trump, overcoming a successful push by Republicans to forge ahead with last week’s election even as numerous other states postponed theirs due to the coronavirus pandemic.


A commuter wears a face mask April 13, 2020, to protect against coronavirus at Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain. Spain is cautiously re-starting some business activity to emerge from the nationwide near-total freeze that helped slow the country's grim coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
NEWS

5 international stories of the week

Nations being pressured to ease virus restrictions, a nearly 10 million barrel production cut by oil producing countries, world militaries changing strategy, how the pandemic has affected the Russian president's agenda and a bail plea for the WikiLeaks founder make up this week’s five international stories.