'Difficult decision:' Racine Theatre Guild to remain closed through January 2021

RACINE -- The Racine Theatre Guild (RTG) Board of Directors has decided to postpone all performances and activities for the upcoming 2020/2021 season until January 2021.

With 4th of July celebrations canceled due to COVID-19, business is booming at fireworks shops

CALEDONIA -- Many Fourth of July celebrations have been canceled due to COVID-19 -- and local fireworks stores are seeing a major increase in sales -- with people planning to set off their own.From sparklers to variety packs, business has been booming at Phantom Fireworks in Caledonia."That, I think, is driving a lot of people, a lot of customers who say, 'Usually we go see our fireworks somewhere, and this year, we can't, so we're coming in so our kids can have some type of normalcy,'" said Riley Harlow, manager.

280 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Wisconsin; total nears 25,000

MADISON -- Wisconsin health officials have confirmed 280 new cases of the coronavirus, down about 100 in the last day.The update released Sunday, June 21 puts the total of positive COVID-19 tests in the state at more than 24,800.No new deaths were reported, following Saturday’s confirmation of 14 deaths, the most in one day since June 9.The state’s death toll stands at 744.Wisconsin’s largest increase in cases in the last two weeks was Thursday, when 422 new positive tests were reported.Officials reported the completion of 6,051 test results, the fewest in the last 14 days.

Hundreds test positive for COVID-19 at Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas

SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Tyson Foods is looking into reports that China's customs agency has suspended poultry imports from a Tyson facility in the United States after coronavirus cases were confirmed among its employees.A Tyson spokesman said Sunday, June 21 that the plant in question is in Springdale, Arkansas.“At Tyson, we’re confident our products are safe and we’re hopeful consultations between the U.S. and Chinese governments will resolve this matter," wrote spokesman Gary Mickelson in an email to The Associated Press.“Our top priority is the health and safety of our team members, and we work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure that we produce all of our food in full compliance with government safety requirements," the statement added.Mickelson also noted that all global and U.S. health organizations, in addition to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, agree that there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food.Related: WHO reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus casesThe announcement out of China on Sunday gave no details of the quantity of meat affected.On Friday, Tyson Foods announced the results of coronavirus testing at its facilities in Benton and Washington Counties, Arkansas, and said that about 95% of employees who ultimately tested positive for the virus didn't show any symptoms.

Waukesha Co. Courts to resume most in-person proceedings Monday

WAUKESHA -- All in-person proceedings, except for jury trials, will resume at the Waukesha County Courthouse and the Waukesha County Clerk of Court’s offices starting Monday, June 22, the county announced Sunday.Services will resume under an operational plan of the Circuit Court of Waukesha Countythat outlines COVID-19 safety requirements, read a release.“This plan allows us to significantly increase the number of legal matters we can resolve after the COVID-19 pandemic put thousands of cases on hold,” said Judge Jennifer Dorow, Presiding Judge in Waukesha County and Chief Judge of the Third Judicial District. “The Waukesha County judiciary consulted extensively with Stakeholders and public health officials to ensure the operational plan balances open access to our courts and service to the public and the health and safety of all litigants, judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, the public, and all other participants and individuals entering the courthouse.”The Clerk of Court’s offices will also reopen for walk-in public service.All court filings and documents will continue to be processed over the counter, via the Wisconsin Courts’ eFiling System, U.S. mail, fax and the county drop box located at the front doors of the Courthouse.Waukesha County Judiciary’s operational plan incorporates many recommendations made by the Chief Justice’s Wisconsin Courts COVID-19 Task Force.

President Trump says he told staff to 'slow down' coronavirus testing

TULSA, Okla. - President Donald Trump is suggesting to supporters that he has told members of his administration to slow the rate of coronavirus testing in the United States.Speaking at a campaign rally Saturday night in Oklahoma, President Trump said the United States has tested 25 million people, and far more than any other country.

Study ties blood type to COVID-19 risk; Type A likely to have more severe disease than Type O

BOSTON -- A genetic analysis of COVID-19 patients suggests that blood type might influence whether someone develops severe disease.Scientists who compared the genes of thousands of patients in Europe found that those who had Type A blood were more likely to have severe disease while those with Type O were less likely.Wednesday’s report in the New England Journal of Medicine does not prove a blood type connection, but it does confirm a previous report from China of such a link.Other experts say more study is needed in different groups of patients to see if the findings hold up.

Comedian DL Hughley COVID-19 positive after fainting onstage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Comedian D.L. Hughley has announced he's tested positive for COVID-19, following his collapse onstage during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee.In a video posted to Twitter on Saturday, Hughley says he was tested while being treated for exhaustion and dehydration after passing out at Zanies on Friday.He says the COVID-19 diagnosis was surprising because he was otherwise asymptomatic.He plans to quarantine in his Nashville hotel room for 14 days.The rest of the 57-year-old's shows at the Zanies club were canceled.In addition to stand-up comedy, Hughley is an actor, author and television and radio host.

24,556 test positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin; 744 deaths, 18K+ recovered

MILWAUKEE — According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Wisconsin reached 24,556 on Saturday, June 20.

'Made it back home:' 87-year-old Korean War veteran wins battle with COVID-19

HOUSTON -- After more than two-and-a-half months in the hospital, an 87-year-old Korean War veteran from Houston has beat coronavirus COVID-19 and reunited with his children three days before Father’s Day.Agustin Ayala tested positive for COVID-19 in late March.“He went into respiratory failure, and doctors called us and said get your things, and so we panicked,” said his son Julian Ayala.The once healthy active grandfather and dad found himself on a ventilator fighting for his life.“He made a turnaround on the machine and started getting his breath back, and the doctors immediately called and said, ‘You’re not gonna believe this, but your dad’s regaining his breathing strength,” said Julian.After two and a half months in the hospital, Augustin returned to his home in the Houston Heights Thursday and found all four of his children there to celebrate his return to health.“Made it back home,” said Agustin, hugging his children.“After two and a half months, Dad, we’re so happy to have you back home,” said Julian. “You have no idea”“At times I was seeing the devil through the crack in the wall, but someone held my hand and pulled me out,” said Agustin.“This Father’s Day means a whole lot, because he’s gonna be home with us,” said Agustin’s son Danny Ayala.“We’ve been fighting and fighting and crying and praying, and here he is, and they told us a month and a half ago that they didn’t think he was gonna make it,” said his daughter.“You compared having the coronavirus as the same as being in war,” Julian said to his dad.“Just about, because you’re fighting for your life,” said Agustin.He believes his weekly gym routine helped spare his life.“I give some credit for going to the gym two or three times a week,” said Agustin.“You can beat this thing, but it’s gonna take a lot of courage and a lot of help and a lot of prayer,” said Danny.And all that family support doesn’t hurt either.

'Adapt or die:' Restaurants find ways to evolve amid coronavirus

NEW YORK -- When the coronavirus roared into New York, chef Anna Klinger wouldn't let it put a fork in her restaurant.Al di La, the Brooklyn trattoria she runs with her husband, Emiliano Coppa, hadn't done much takeout until then.

6 staffers setting up for President Trump's rally positive for COVID-19

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s campaign says six staff members setting up for his Saturday night rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for coronavirus.The campaign’s communications director, Tim Murtaugh, says that “quarantine procedures” have been initiated and no staff members who tested positive will attend the event.He says no one who had immediate contact with those staffers will attend, either.Murtaugh says campaign staff members are tested for COVID-19 as part of the campaign’s safety protocols.Campaign officials say everyone who is attending the rally will be given temperature checks before they pass through security

As US remains stuck in 1st coronavirus wave, Harvard expert says 'it’s probably not even halftime'

BOSTON - As coronavirus cases tick upward in various states across the country, while plans to reopen continue amid protests and presidential campaign rallies — the U.S. has found itself in a state of confusion as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.Do the troubling increases in cases mean we’re in the midst of a “second wave?” Have states reopened too soon?

South Shore Farmers Market kicks off the 2020 season

MILWAUKEE -- The South Shore Farmer's Market is back for another season of fresh produce and summer memories in Bay View.

24,221 test positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin; 730 deaths, 18K+ recovered

MILWAUKEE — According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and local health agencies, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Wisconsin reached 24,221 on Friday, June 19.

IRS permits more Americans to tap retirement accounts without penalty

WASHINGTON -- The IRS released new financial relief guidance related to the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, allowing more people to draw from their retirement accounts without penalty.In addition to people who lost their jobs during the pandemic, the tax agency now says individuals who experienced a reduction in pay or were supposed to start a job – but experienced a delay due to the virus – can access their savings.

Phoenix mandates wearing masks in public as virus cases rise

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- In a 7-2 vote on June 19, the Phoenix City Council voted to implement the wearing of facial coverings in the public to stop the spread of coronavirus.Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says Valley mayors are trying to work together as much as possible so mask requirements are similar across cities.Arizona mayors are free to make wearing face masks mandatory to slow the spread of coronavirus, Gov.