The Biden administration issued a proclamation on April 30, 2021, restricting entry to the United States for noncitizens who have been in India within 14 days of their travel, effective May 4, 2021. This decision was based on the CDC's assessment of the public health situation in India and the discovery of multiple COVID-19 variants. Exceptions to the restrictions include U.S. citizens, green card holders, and certain other categories of individuals. The restrictions will be reviewed every 30 days and are part of a series of travel bans, including those previously imposed by the Trump administration and reimposed by President Biden.

Central Indiana offers a variety of winter attractions, including larger outdoor ice rinks like Noblesville's Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza and Carmel's Ice at Center Green, which now features online ticketing. Avon Ice Rink introduces ice bumper cars, a mobile attraction by Premier Entertainment Group. Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes in Hamilton County's Strawtown Koteewi Park is set to open for its second snow-tubing season, featuring a specialized hill with manmade snow and a tow line for tubes.

Exploring non-traditional brunch spots in Indianapolis, the author reviews Liter House, LouVino, and Taxman Brewing Company Brasserie & Tap Room. Liter House offers a German-inspired brunch with live music, LouVino provides a Southern-inspired menu with creative dishes, and Taxman Brewing Company features a family-friendly atmosphere with a variety of sweet and savory options. The review includes detailed descriptions of the food, atmosphere, and overall experience at each location.

Waterfront dining options in Indianapolis and surrounding areas offer a variety of atmospheres and cuisines, from the casual Wolfies Waterfront Grill to the upscale Rick's Cafe Boatyard. Upcoming events and openings, such as Dine on the Causeway and Boathouse Kitchen & Swan Dive, provide additional dining experiences for locals. The Our Town Cicero Main Street Association's fundraiser and the involvement of Hall's Catering and Matt Hall of the Don Hall's Restaurants family highlight the local business community's engagement in the dining scene.

Central Indiana celebrates summer with free neighborhood festivals that offer a mix of local food, beer, music, and culture. SausageFest at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and School features sausages from Kincaid’s Meat Market and a variety of beers from Sun King Brewery. Indianapolis GreekFest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church offers authentic Greek food and cultural experiences. The French Market at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church includes French cuisine and live entertainment. Lastly, the Indianapolis Italian Street Festival at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, although already passed, is noted for its Italian dishes and is an event to look forward to next June.

The Indy Cultural Trail Food Tours, developed in collaboration with local food expert Jolene Ketzenberger, offer guided culinary adventures along the eight-mile downtown trail in Indianapolis. The tours have been recognized by publications such as Zagat, Conde Nast Traveler, and Food & Wine magazine. Participants can enjoy an afternoon exploring various kitchens and gaining insights into the local restaurant scene.

Restaurant week promotions such as Devour Indy and Savor Hamilton County have been driving customers to try new eateries in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. These events feature special fixed-price menus and discounts to attract adventurous diners. Participating restaurants, including Stompin Barley, Bluebeard, and LouVino, have reported increased revenue and customer traffic. The promotions, inspired by New York City's Restaurant Week, have been popular since their inception and are expanding to include more geographical locations. Restaurant owners and chefs see these events as opportunities to showcase their best work and hope for repeat visits from new customers. Sales data from Sysco's Cake technology indicates a significant revenue boost for participating restaurants.

Themed trivia nights are gaining popularity in Indianapolis, with local pubs like Claddagh Irish Pub and Tappers Arcade Bar hosting events that draw large crowds. These events focus on pop-culture topics such as 'Friends', 'Harry Potter', and 'Game of Thrones'. Whiz Trivia, a company founded by Kaitlyn Hayes and Nicole Risacher, specializes in organizing these trivia nights. The events are known for their engaging atmosphere and have become a way for pubs to attract new customers.

Stuart Schulman, a principal at Buck Consultants LLC/Xerox HR Consulting, played a key role in creating the Pension Risk Navigator, a real-time interactive plan management tool for retirement programs. The tool helps employers set and monitor specific goals for their pension plans. Schulman's work has led to him receiving one of EBN’s Dig|Benefits Technology Innovator Awards, and he will be honored at the Dig|Benefits conference. He predicts that mobile devices will become the primary platform for employee benefit portals and that coordinating benefits globally will be a significant technological challenge.

The Department of Labor is announcing changes to overtime rules, raising the salary threshold for overtime eligibility from $23,600/year to $47,476/year, effective December 1, 2016. The final rule's threshold is lower than the proposed rule but is criticized by Lisa Horn of the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity and the Society for Human Resources Management for its potential negative impact on small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments. Carolyn Richmond of Fox Rothschild notes the disproportionate effect on the hospitality and retail industries. The rule includes automatic updates every three years, which some argue do not consider economic conditions or budgetary constraints. The Department of Labor will also release guidance documents to assist employers with compliance.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released final rules on employer-sponsored wellness programs, detailing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Genetic Insurance Nondiscrimination Act. The rules, effective for plan years beginning January 1, 2017, apply to all wellness programs and include limitations on spousal incentives and prohibitions on incentives for children. Industry experts advise employers to review their wellness programs in light of these regulations and do not anticipate a negative impact on the investment in well-being programs.

Kristen Booth, director of benefits at Lakeland Regional Health, successfully implemented ALEX, a virtual benefits counselor, leading to over 80% of benefits-eligible employees using the tool and increases in benefits enrollment across almost every line of coverage. Booth's efforts earned her a Dig|Benefits Technology Innovator Award, and she will be honored at the Dig|Benefits conference in Austin, Texas.

Mike Levin, co-founder of Vericred, has been recognized with a Dig|Benefits Technology Innovator Award for his work in creating a centralized database of health provider information. Vericred, launched in 2014, aims to facilitate employee benefits management through technology, offering transparency and tools for individuals to manage their benefits. The company was a finalist in a challenge by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and U.S. Health and Human Services in 2015 and has recently raised $3.1 million in a second round of seed financing to expand its data services and scale sales efforts.

Health Savings Account (HSA) enrollment has increased by 10.7% since 2014, while employer contributions have remained stagnant or decreased, influenced by the impending Cadillac tax of the Affordable Care Act. The tax encourages high-deductible health plans due to lower premiums but discourages high contributions to HSAs. Industry-specific data shows government employers as the most generous contributors to HSAs, while the accommodation/food services industries contribute the least. The utilities sector has the lowest and declining HSA enrollment. Employers are predicted to continue reducing HSA contributions in favor of health reimbursement arrangements.

Hixme, a technology company based in California, has launched a platform targeting large employers to facilitate employee access to the retail health insurance marketplace using employer contributions. The company, started in 2014, allows employees to purchase individual plans directly from carriers, not through public exchanges. Hixme's CEO, Denny Weinberg, believes that individual ownership is the future of employee benefits. The company's technology manages funds flow between carriers and benefit plans, offering a transition from group insurance to the individual market. Hixme is currently active in California and plans to expand to other states, competing with large benefits consulting firms.

Mobile applications are increasingly facilitating access to 401(k) plan information and aiding in retirement planning decisions. Benefits advisers like HORAN's David Lohre highlight the trend of websites with mobile capabilities simplifying enrollment processes. Transamerica Retirement Solutions and Charles Schwab have introduced apps like TRSRetire and ART, as well as added transaction capabilities and educational resources to their mobile offerings. The integration of technology is also streamlining data sharing between payroll companies and 401(k) providers, improving compliance and efficiency. Industry experts emphasize the importance of plan design and the role of advisers in guiding employers to adopt practices that lead to better retirement outcomes for participants. The rise of robo advisers and the use of technology in managing participant accounts is noted, with Schwab launching adviser managed accounts for 401(k) plans. Additionally, technology is lowering barriers for small businesses to set up and maintain 401(k) plans, with companies like Ubiquity Retirement + Savings working to expand access.

The Supreme Court's decision in Fifth Third Bancorp v. Dudenhoeffer has been described as a 'mish-mash' by Michael Keeling, president of the ESOP Association. The ruling, which affects ESOPs at both publicly traded and private companies, removes the 'Moench presumption' of prudence previously granted to ESOP fiduciaries. Legal experts, including Jamie Fleckner of Goodwin Procter and Barry Klein of Blank Rome, discuss the implications of the decision, noting the unique challenges it poses for plan fiduciaries, especially in light of insider trading laws. The impact on ESOPs, particularly those in private companies, and the potential for increased litigation against fiduciaries are highlighted as concerns.

Indiana Landmarks, an Indianapolis-based preservation group, is close to reaching its $25 million fundraising goal for the 'Saving Meaningful Places' campaign. The campaign, which began in 2010, will support the Indiana Landmarks Center project, fund acquisition and restoration projects, and enhance grant programs. The Cook family from Bloomington contributed $15.7 million towards the headquarters project. Funds will also support the Endangered Places Acquisition Fund and special initiatives like the National Preservation Conference in Indianapolis. The Stadium Lofts project, a development by Core Redevelopment, is a notable part of the campaign.