NFL extends virtual offseason until June 26

NFL extends virtual offseason until June 26

NEW YORK -- The NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26, but no further.Although team facilities have opened for key personnel, coaches and players rehabilitating injuries, healthy players have been barred from those complexes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW YORK -- The NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26, but no further.Although team facilities have opened for key personnel, coaches and players rehabilitating injuries, healthy players have been barred from those complexes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseball plans game at Field of Dreams, but will they come?

Baseball plans game at Field of Dreams, but will they come?

DYERSVILLE, Iowa — Spurred by a voice telling him, “If you build it, he will come,” the Iowa farmer played by Kevin Costner dutifully carved a baseball field out of his cornfield and then watched as Shoeless Joe Jackson and his Chicago White Sox teammates strode out of the stalks and onto the Field of Dreams.Major League Baseball is building another field a few hundred yards down a corn-lined path from the famous movie site in eastern Iowa but unlike the original, it’s unclear whether teams will show up for a game this time as the league and its players struggle to agree on plans for a coronavirus-shortened season.The owners of the Field of Dreams and residents of the farming community of Dyersville desperately hope so, saying that after months of isolation and loss caused by the virus, not only their area but the entire country could use a boost like seeing the scheduled Aug. 13 game between the New York Yankees and White Sox go ahead as planned.“For both baseball and the general public, what a match made in heaven that would be for this year,” said Keith Rahe, now a tourism official but who previously farmed a half mile from the Field of Dreams and vividly remembers the scorching summer of 1988 when the movie was filmed. “Just to have something to feel good about -- how do you measure that?”Major League Baseball announced plans for the game nearly a year ago, making it the latest regular-season game held at irregular locations, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for a July 4th celebration, to annual games at Bowman Stadium, a minor league ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the town where the Little League World Series is played.

DYERSVILLE, Iowa — Spurred by a voice telling him, “If you build it, he will come,” the Iowa farmer played by Kevin Costner dutifully carved a baseball field out of his cornfield and then watched as Shoeless Joe Jackson and his Chicago White Sox teammates strode out of the stalks and onto the Field of Dreams.Major League Baseball is building another field a few hundred yards down a corn-lined path from the famous movie site in eastern Iowa but unlike the original, it’s unclear whether teams will show up for a game this time as the league and its players struggle to agree on plans for a coronavirus-shortened season.The owners of the Field of Dreams and residents of the farming community of Dyersville desperately hope so, saying that after months of isolation and loss caused by the virus, not only their area but the entire country could use a boost like seeing the scheduled Aug. 13 game between the New York Yankees and White Sox go ahead as planned.“For both baseball and the general public, what a match made in heaven that would be for this year,” said Keith Rahe, now a tourism official but who previously farmed a half mile from the Field of Dreams and vividly remembers the scorching summer of 1988 when the movie was filmed. “Just to have something to feel good about -- how do you measure that?”Major League Baseball announced plans for the game nearly a year ago, making it the latest regular-season game held at irregular locations, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for a July 4th celebration, to annual games at Bowman Stadium, a minor league ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the town where the Little League World Series is played.

Macy's reopens to customers in Milwaukee area, offers contact-free curbside pick-up

Macy's reopens to customers in Milwaukee area, offers contact-free curbside pick-up

MILWAUKEE -- Macy’s announced on Thursday, June 11 it is reopening to customers and communities in the Milwaukee area.Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state and local guidance, select Macy’s stores will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering contact-free curbside pick-up.Marc Mastronardi, chief stores officer at Macy’s, issued the following statement in a news release:

MILWAUKEE -- Macy’s announced on Thursday, June 11 it is reopening to customers and communities in the Milwaukee area.Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state and local guidance, select Macy’s stores will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering contact-free curbside pick-up.Marc Mastronardi, chief stores officer at Macy’s, issued the following statement in a news release:

Many forces behind alarming rise in virus cases in 21 states

Many forces behind alarming rise in virus cases in 21 states

NEW YORK — States are rolling back lockdowns, but the coronavirus isn't done with the U.S.Cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could worsen as people return to work and venture out during the summer.In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst.

NEW YORK — States are rolling back lockdowns, but the coronavirus isn't done with the U.S.Cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could worsen as people return to work and venture out during the summer.In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst.

Moderna on track for large COVID-19 vaccine test in July

Moderna on track for large COVID-19 vaccine test in July

WASHINGTON -- The first experimental COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. is on track to begin a huge study next month to prove if it really can fend off the coronavirus, its manufacturer announced Thursday — a long-awaited step in the global vaccine race.The vaccine, developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will be tested in 30,000 volunteers -- some given the real shot and some a dummy shot.Moderna said it already has made enough doses for the pivotal late-stage testing.

WASHINGTON -- The first experimental COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. is on track to begin a huge study next month to prove if it really can fend off the coronavirus, its manufacturer announced Thursday — a long-awaited step in the global vaccine race.The vaccine, developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will be tested in 30,000 volunteers -- some given the real shot and some a dummy shot.Moderna said it already has made enough doses for the pivotal late-stage testing.

1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits

1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON — About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, evidence that many Americans are still losing their jobs even as the economy appears to be slowly recovering with more businesses partially reopening.The latest figure from the Labor Department marked the 10th straight weekly decline in applications for jobless aid since they peaked in mid-March when the coronavirus hit hard.

WASHINGTON — About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, evidence that many Americans are still losing their jobs even as the economy appears to be slowly recovering with more businesses partially reopening.The latest figure from the Labor Department marked the 10th straight weekly decline in applications for jobless aid since they peaked in mid-March when the coronavirus hit hard.

'I like to see everybody happy:' 9-year-old girl's lemonade helps quench thirst and give back to the community

'I like to see everybody happy:' 9-year-old girl's lemonade helps quench thirst and give back to the community

MILWAUKEE -- If you need a pick-me-up, there are a collection of feel-good stories at ShareLemonade.com.It's a place to celebrate the good.One freshly-picked story from the site focused on one girl who is literally making lemonade out of lemons and helping her community at the same time.

MILWAUKEE -- If you need a pick-me-up, there are a collection of feel-good stories at ShareLemonade.com.It's a place to celebrate the good.One freshly-picked story from the site focused on one girl who is literally making lemonade out of lemons and helping her community at the same time.

Double duty: Wisconsin National Guard members complete degrees while mobilized for COVID-19

Double duty: Wisconsin National Guard members complete degrees while mobilized for COVID-19

MADISON — More than 1,200 members of the Wisconsin National Guard are serving in support of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are doing so in addition to working to complete their degrees.Soldiers and Airmen working long days supporting the state's response to COVID-19 also are resigned to staying up long into the night or working weekends to get homework, tests and assignments complete.

MADISON — More than 1,200 members of the Wisconsin National Guard are serving in support of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are doing so in addition to working to complete their degrees.Soldiers and Airmen working long days supporting the state's response to COVID-19 also are resigned to staying up long into the night or working weekends to get homework, tests and assignments complete.

Autopsy: Chicago infant died of COVID-19

Autopsy: Chicago infant died of COVID-19

CHICAGO -- An autopsy has confirmed that COVID-19 infection contributed in the March death a 9-month-old Chicago boy, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.Joseph Myles died of human coronavirus NL-63 and COVID-19 induced viral pneumonia, the medical examiner’s office said.

CHICAGO -- An autopsy has confirmed that COVID-19 infection contributed in the March death a 9-month-old Chicago boy, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.Joseph Myles died of human coronavirus NL-63 and COVID-19 induced viral pneumonia, the medical examiner’s office said.

Dodge County Fair canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, expected to resume in 2021

Dodge County Fair canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, expected to resume in 2021

BEAVER DAM -- The Dodge County Fair  -- a community tradition for 132 years -- has been canceled for 2020, which was to be held Aug. 19-23.In a news release, the Dodge County Fair Board announced the cancelation and issued the following statement:

BEAVER DAM -- The Dodge County Fair  -- a community tradition for 132 years -- has been canceled for 2020, which was to be held Aug. 19-23.In a news release, the Dodge County Fair Board announced the cancelation and issued the following statement:

Milwaukee Business Restart Grant applications due Friday, small businesses eligible for up to $15K

Milwaukee Business Restart Grant applications due Friday, small businesses eligible for up to $15K

MILWAUKEE -- Small businesses can apply for City of Milwaukee’s Business Restart Grants until 5 p.m Friday, June 12 through the online portal at Milwaukee.gov/restart.A news release says the Milwaukee Business Restart Program is designed to get City small businesses up and running following setbacks associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.

MILWAUKEE -- Small businesses can apply for City of Milwaukee’s Business Restart Grants until 5 p.m Friday, June 12 through the online portal at Milwaukee.gov/restart.A news release says the Milwaukee Business Restart Program is designed to get City small businesses up and running following setbacks associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.