Graduation ceremonies draw thousands despite pandemic fears
HOOVER, Ala. — High schools nationwide have canceled or postponed traditional graduation ceremonies to avoid worsening the spread of the new coronavirus, but some are going ahead with full-fledged springtime commencement exercises as usual, with tweaks to account for health concerns.Thousands of graduates, parents, siblings and grandparents will gather at a nearly 11,000-seat stadium on Wednesday and Thursday nights in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, where two high schools — among the largest in Alabama — planned traditional commencement exercises despite COVID-19.Two schools in nearby cities held ceremonies Tuesday, with chairs for more than 540 graduates spread apart across a football field at Thompson High and a keynote address by the state school superintendent.
HOOVER, Ala. — High schools nationwide have canceled or postponed traditional graduation ceremonies to avoid worsening the spread of the new coronavirus, but some are going ahead with full-fledged springtime commencement exercises as usual, with tweaks to account for health concerns.Thousands of graduates, parents, siblings and grandparents will gather at a nearly 11,000-seat stadium on Wednesday and Thursday nights in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, where two high schools — among the largest in Alabama — planned traditional commencement exercises despite COVID-19.Two schools in nearby cities held ceremonies Tuesday, with chairs for more than 540 graduates spread apart across a football field at Thompson High and a keynote address by the state school superintendent.
Company creates hospital bed that converts into a coffin amid the COVID-19 pandemic
BOGOTA, Colombia -- An advertising company located in Bogota, Colombia recently pitched a dual hospital bed/coffin to help address shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.A video from ABC Displays shows workers using cardboard and metal materials to assemble the bed.
BOGOTA, Colombia -- An advertising company located in Bogota, Colombia recently pitched a dual hospital bed/coffin to help address shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.A video from ABC Displays shows workers using cardboard and metal materials to assemble the bed.
Milwaukee Bucks' Pat Connaughton to host Radiothon to raise funds for COVID-19 relief
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton will host Capture Sports Marketing’s Athletes Doing Good Radiothon airing on ESPN Wisconsin on Thursday, May 21, to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.The radiothon will air on both 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee and 100.5 ESPN Madison from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with all proceeds raised during the event going to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and Connaughton’s foundation, With Us, to help support COVID-19 relief.A news release says fans can be a part of the radiothon by donating, bidding on silent auction items, or purchasing a buy-it-now item.
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton will host Capture Sports Marketing’s Athletes Doing Good Radiothon airing on ESPN Wisconsin on Thursday, May 21, to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.The radiothon will air on both 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee and 100.5 ESPN Madison from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with all proceeds raised during the event going to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and Connaughton’s foundation, With Us, to help support COVID-19 relief.A news release says fans can be a part of the radiothon by donating, bidding on silent auction items, or purchasing a buy-it-now item.
FEMA stops in SE Wisconsin to see how operations to combat COVID-19 are playing out
MILWAUKEE -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is shipping tons of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing supplies to Wisconsin to help combat COVID-19.
MILWAUKEE -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is shipping tons of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing supplies to Wisconsin to help combat COVID-19.
Mayor Tom Barrett shares specifics on Milwaukee Business Restart Program
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Wednesday, May 20 specifics on how the Milwaukee Business Restart Program will assist small local businesses as they resume operations.According to a press release, applications for grants through this program will be available beginning Thursday, May 28 and those applications will be accepted over a two week period ending Friday, June 12 .Starting Thursday, businesses can apply at: Milwaukee.gov/restart.A press release says the Milwaukee Business Restart Program is designed to get City of Milwaukee small businesses up and running following setbacks associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.Grants will be available to businesses established before the end of 2019 with annualized revenue of less than $2-million and 20 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees.
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Wednesday, May 20 specifics on how the Milwaukee Business Restart Program will assist small local businesses as they resume operations.According to a press release, applications for grants through this program will be available beginning Thursday, May 28 and those applications will be accepted over a two week period ending Friday, June 12 .Starting Thursday, businesses can apply at: Milwaukee.gov/restart.A press release says the Milwaukee Business Restart Program is designed to get City of Milwaukee small businesses up and running following setbacks associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.Grants will be available to businesses established before the end of 2019 with annualized revenue of less than $2-million and 20 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees.
Goodwill stores in southeast Wisconsin open for shopping; no donations until May 22
MILWAUKEE -- After announcing on Friday, May 15 most store and donation centers in southeast Wisconsin were reopened, Goodwill officials on Wednesday, May 20 said they would not be able to accept donations again until Friday, May 22 "thanks to the generosity and overwhelming support from our donors in the first days of our reopening.A Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.
MILWAUKEE -- After announcing on Friday, May 15 most store and donation centers in southeast Wisconsin were reopened, Goodwill officials on Wednesday, May 20 said they would not be able to accept donations again until Friday, May 22 "thanks to the generosity and overwhelming support from our donors in the first days of our reopening.A Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.
Before official opening, Waterford distillery changes operations to make, bottle hand sanitizer
WATERFORD -- Waterford Stillhouse was just a few months away from a grand opening that would've brought Racine County its first distillery since prohibition until COVID-19 put that on hold.The distillery found a way to get into business, though -- making a different product.It was supposed to be a big step in revitalizing downtown Waterford.
WATERFORD -- Waterford Stillhouse was just a few months away from a grand opening that would've brought Racine County its first distillery since prohibition until COVID-19 put that on hold.The distillery found a way to get into business, though -- making a different product.It was supposed to be a big step in revitalizing downtown Waterford.
Where’s my stimulus check? IRS adds phone operators to answer relief payment questions
WASHINGTON — Still haven’t received your stimulus check?
WASHINGTON — Still haven’t received your stimulus check?
President Trump threatens to hold up coronavirus funds for states easing voting in pandemic
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to hold up federal funds for two election battleground states that are trying to make it easier and safer to vote during the coronavirus pandemic.The president's tweets targeting Michigan and Nevada marked an escalation in his campaign against voting by mail, a practice that he has publicly worried will lead so many people to vote that Republicans will lose in November.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to hold up federal funds for two election battleground states that are trying to make it easier and safer to vote during the coronavirus pandemic.The president's tweets targeting Michigan and Nevada marked an escalation in his campaign against voting by mail, a practice that he has publicly worried will lead so many people to vote that Republicans will lose in November.
Inmate released early due to COVID-19 arrested for attacking woman on Washington hiking trail
EVERETT, Wash. -- A convicted felon released early from prison because of COVID-19 concerns is back behind bars, accused in a terrifying attack on a woman in Everett, Washington.The victim, a woman in her 60s, was taking a break from hiking on a trail Friday when police say 33-year-old Matthew Cory came up from behind her and started choking her.The interurban trail in Everett is a popular place for people to get outside for some fresh air.According to court documents, the victim said she managed to loosen his grip and scream loud enough that he ran off.
EVERETT, Wash. -- A convicted felon released early from prison because of COVID-19 concerns is back behind bars, accused in a terrifying attack on a woman in Everett, Washington.The victim, a woman in her 60s, was taking a break from hiking on a trail Friday when police say 33-year-old Matthew Cory came up from behind her and started choking her.The interurban trail in Everett is a popular place for people to get outside for some fresh air.According to court documents, the victim said she managed to loosen his grip and scream loud enough that he ran off.
3 barbers ticketed for cutting hair in protest at Michigan Capitol
LANSING, Mich. — Police ticketed three people for cutting hair during a protest outside the Michigan Capitol, where about a dozen barbers and hairstylists defied stay-at-home orders to give free hair cuts Wednesday.About 350 people were attending the demonstration that was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition to protest the orders imposed by Gov.
LANSING, Mich. — Police ticketed three people for cutting hair during a protest outside the Michigan Capitol, where about a dozen barbers and hairstylists defied stay-at-home orders to give free hair cuts Wednesday.About 350 people were attending the demonstration that was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition to protest the orders imposed by Gov.
More than 100 million people in China face new lockdown as 2nd wave of COVID-19 cases emerge
JILIN, China -- Nearly 108 million people in China's Jilin province could be forced back into lockdown after a growing group of new coronavirus infections triggered a backslide in the nation's push to return to normal.The abrupt reversal in China's northeast region has once again cut off public transportation, closed schools and led to another round of quarantine.Fan Pai, who works at a trading company in the nearby province of Liaoning, told Bloomberg News that people are starting to feel "more cautious" again."Children playing outside are wearing masks again," she said. "It's frustrating because you don't know when it will end."The new clusters of coronavirus cases have also ignited everyone's worst fear that a second wave of the deadly disease could be on the horizon.Wuhan, the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus was first reported in 2019, also saw new cases emerge last week, though neither the cases in Jilin or Wuhan have been as severe as the original outbreak.Over the weekend, Jilin reported 120 new cases.Chinese officials initially pinned the contagion's re-entry on Russia, but admitted local transmission also occurred.How China handles its second wave of coronavirus likely will serve as a template for other countries.The problem, some say, is that China's record of being less than truthful makes it almost impossible to believe its reported figures and response.China has been at the center of controversy after being repeatedly accused of sitting on vital, lifesaving information about the severity of the coronavirus.In recent weeks, the country hasn't done much to improve its image, aggressively going after its own trading partners who have called for an independent investigation into the origins of the virus.
JILIN, China -- Nearly 108 million people in China's Jilin province could be forced back into lockdown after a growing group of new coronavirus infections triggered a backslide in the nation's push to return to normal.The abrupt reversal in China's northeast region has once again cut off public transportation, closed schools and led to another round of quarantine.Fan Pai, who works at a trading company in the nearby province of Liaoning, told Bloomberg News that people are starting to feel "more cautious" again."Children playing outside are wearing masks again," she said. "It's frustrating because you don't know when it will end."The new clusters of coronavirus cases have also ignited everyone's worst fear that a second wave of the deadly disease could be on the horizon.Wuhan, the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus was first reported in 2019, also saw new cases emerge last week, though neither the cases in Jilin or Wuhan have been as severe as the original outbreak.Over the weekend, Jilin reported 120 new cases.Chinese officials initially pinned the contagion's re-entry on Russia, but admitted local transmission also occurred.How China handles its second wave of coronavirus likely will serve as a template for other countries.The problem, some say, is that China's record of being less than truthful makes it almost impossible to believe its reported figures and response.China has been at the center of controversy after being repeatedly accused of sitting on vital, lifesaving information about the severity of the coronavirus.In recent weeks, the country hasn't done much to improve its image, aggressively going after its own trading partners who have called for an independent investigation into the origins of the virus.
Poll: Americans harbor strong fear of new coronavirus infections as public places reopen
DES MOINES, Iowa — Strong concern about a second wave of coronavirus infections is reinforcing widespread opposition among Americans to reopening public places, a new poll finds, even as many state leaders step up efforts to return to life before the pandemic.Yet support for public health restrictions imposed to control the virus’ spread is no longer overwhelming.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Strong concern about a second wave of coronavirus infections is reinforcing widespread opposition among Americans to reopening public places, a new poll finds, even as many state leaders step up efforts to return to life before the pandemic.Yet support for public health restrictions imposed to control the virus’ spread is no longer overwhelming.
Mount Everest visible from over 120 miles away due to decrease in pollution
KATHMANDU, Nepal -- An incredible photo shows Mount Everest visible for the first time in decades from the Nepalese city of Kathmandu.A coronavirus lockdown-related reduction in air pollution has made the famous visible from the city 124 miles away, according to the Nepali Times.
KATHMANDU, Nepal -- An incredible photo shows Mount Everest visible for the first time in decades from the Nepalese city of Kathmandu.A coronavirus lockdown-related reduction in air pollution has made the famous visible from the city 124 miles away, according to the Nepali Times.
Milwaukee Bucks, Fiserv Forum donating $150K worth of food to community
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum are donating $150,000 worth of food to be made into meals for communities in need, the team announced Wednesday, May 20.Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin will retrieve the food from Fiserv Forum over a two-week operation, starting on Thursday, May 21 when 10,000 pounds of food will be picked up.
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum are donating $150,000 worth of food to be made into meals for communities in need, the team announced Wednesday, May 20.Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin will retrieve the food from Fiserv Forum over a two-week operation, starting on Thursday, May 21 when 10,000 pounds of food will be picked up.
WHO doctor says no US funding would be hurtful
GENEVA — The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says an end to U.S. funding for the U.N. health agency would have a “major implication for delivering essential health services to the most vulnerable people in the world.”Dr.
GENEVA — The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says an end to U.S. funding for the U.N. health agency would have a “major implication for delivering essential health services to the most vulnerable people in the world.”Dr.
VP Mike Pence visits tourism-reliant Florida as Disney shops reopen
ORLANDO, Fla. — Vice President Mike Pence visited central Florida to meet with tourism officials Wednesday as the region’s biggest tourist destination — Walt Disney World — began reopening a shopping and entertainment complex.During his trip to Orlando, Pence was also scheduled to talk to the governor and drop off protective equipment at a nursing home as tourism, the state's biggest industry, continued taking steps toward reopening.Some third-party shops at the Disney Springs complex opened Wednesday with new requirements and restrictions.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Vice President Mike Pence visited central Florida to meet with tourism officials Wednesday as the region’s biggest tourist destination — Walt Disney World — began reopening a shopping and entertainment complex.During his trip to Orlando, Pence was also scheduled to talk to the governor and drop off protective equipment at a nursing home as tourism, the state's biggest industry, continued taking steps toward reopening.Some third-party shops at the Disney Springs complex opened Wednesday with new requirements and restrictions.
MADISON -- Gov.
Open Record Special Edition: Answers from Wisconsin's governor
MILWAUKEE -- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in one way or another.
MILWAUKEE -- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in one way or another.
Travel in Wisconsin dropped over 90% at one point during COVID-19 lockdown
MILWAUKEE -- There hasn't been much positive news as a result of COVID-19, but one bright spot has been the reduction in emissions from huge changes in travel.
MILWAUKEE -- There hasn't been much positive news as a result of COVID-19, but one bright spot has been the reduction in emissions from huge changes in travel.