Corrections officials: Nearly 1,600 inmates released due to COVID-19

Corrections officials: Nearly 1,600 inmates released due to COVID-19

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says it's released nearly 1,600 inmates since March to help reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus.Corrections spokeswoman Anna Neal said most of the inmates released since March 2 had been detained because they violated their probation, parole or extended supervision terms.The State Journal reported the inmates were released from either a county jail or DOC’s Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says it's released nearly 1,600 inmates since March to help reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus.Corrections spokeswoman Anna Neal said most of the inmates released since March 2 had been detained because they violated their probation, parole or extended supervision terms.The State Journal reported the inmates were released from either a county jail or DOC’s Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.

Vitamin D levels may impact COVID-19 mortality rates, study claims

Vitamin D levels may impact COVID-19 mortality rates, study claims

NEW YORK -- Researchers have discovered a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality rates from the novel coronavirus, a new study reveals.A research team led by Northwestern University analyzed data from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.Patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients in countries that were not as severely affected, according to the study.The researchers also found a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm, which is a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system."Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients," Ali Daneshkhah, a postdoctoral research associate at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, said in a statement. "This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself.

NEW YORK -- Researchers have discovered a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality rates from the novel coronavirus, a new study reveals.A research team led by Northwestern University analyzed data from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.Patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients in countries that were not as severely affected, according to the study.The researchers also found a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm, which is a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system."Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients," Ali Daneshkhah, a postdoctoral research associate at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, said in a statement. "This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself.

'Contact-free' shopping: DSW reopens nearly 200 stores in the United States and Canada

'Contact-free' shopping: DSW reopens nearly 200 stores in the United States and Canada

NEW  YORK -- In the first week of May, DSW reopened almost 200 stores in the United States and Canada.According to a press release, customers will experience some changes in their in-store experience as DSW implements sterilization procedures and safety measures as it starts to re-open stores nationally.For any shoe returns or shoes that have been tried on, they will be removed from the sales floor to the back where they will be sprayed with disinfectant and kept off the sales floor for 3 days (5 days if disinfectant spray isn’t available).

NEW  YORK -- In the first week of May, DSW reopened almost 200 stores in the United States and Canada.According to a press release, customers will experience some changes in their in-store experience as DSW implements sterilization procedures and safety measures as it starts to re-open stores nationally.For any shoe returns or shoes that have been tried on, they will be removed from the sales floor to the back where they will be sprayed with disinfectant and kept off the sales floor for 3 days (5 days if disinfectant spray isn’t available).

Malaria drug shows no benefit in another coronavirus study

Malaria drug shows no benefit in another coronavirus study

NEW YORK -- A new study finds no evidence of benefit from a malaria drug widely promoted as a treatment for coronavirus infection.Hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube in a comparison that involved nearly 1,400 patients treated at Columbia University in New York, researchers reported Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.Although the study is observational rather than a rigorous experiment, it gives valuable information for a decision that hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 patients have already had to make without clear evidence about the drug’s risks and benefits, some journal editors and other doctors wrote in an editorial.“It is disappointing that several months into the pandemic, we do not yet have results” from any strict tests of the drug, they wrote.

NEW YORK -- A new study finds no evidence of benefit from a malaria drug widely promoted as a treatment for coronavirus infection.Hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube in a comparison that involved nearly 1,400 patients treated at Columbia University in New York, researchers reported Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.Although the study is observational rather than a rigorous experiment, it gives valuable information for a decision that hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 patients have already had to make without clear evidence about the drug’s risks and benefits, some journal editors and other doctors wrote in an editorial.“It is disappointing that several months into the pandemic, we do not yet have results” from any strict tests of the drug, they wrote.

Amtrak to require face coverings beginning next week

Amtrak to require face coverings beginning next week

NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak will require passengers to wear face coverings beginning next week.The national railroad service announced Thursday that the new rules will go into effect on Monday.Passengers will be required to provide their own facial covering and wear it over their nose and mouth while in stations and on trains and thruway buses.

NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak will require passengers to wear face coverings beginning next week.The national railroad service announced Thursday that the new rules will go into effect on Monday.Passengers will be required to provide their own facial covering and wear it over their nose and mouth while in stations and on trains and thruway buses.

Zac Brown Band livestream CANCELED due to production issue, Alicia Keys show takes its place

Zac Brown Band livestream CANCELED due to production issue, Alicia Keys show takes its place

MILWAUKEE -- Zac Brown Band was set to the be the latest musical ensemble to perform in Verizon’s Pay It Forward Live entertainment series on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. CDT.

MILWAUKEE -- Zac Brown Band was set to the be the latest musical ensemble to perform in Verizon’s Pay It Forward Live entertainment series on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. CDT.

UW working on protocols for students' return in fall

UW working on protocols for students' return in fall

MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System leaders are working on safety protocols that could enable students to return to campus if the coronavirus pandemic stretches into fall, system President Ray Cross told regents Thursday.Cross told the regents during a teleconference that system leaders want to be able to test all faculty, staff and students — a task he called “monumental.” They also want to be able to trace student contacts, create a way to isolate and quarantine the sick as well as infected people who aren't showing symptoms.Leaders also want to be able to identify public spaces where people could meet safely and provide protective gear to faculty and students.“We will be back in session in fall,” Cross said. “How we deliver that, it won't be normal.

MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System leaders are working on safety protocols that could enable students to return to campus if the coronavirus pandemic stretches into fall, system President Ray Cross told regents Thursday.Cross told the regents during a teleconference that system leaders want to be able to test all faculty, staff and students — a task he called “monumental.” They also want to be able to trace student contacts, create a way to isolate and quarantine the sick as well as infected people who aren't showing symptoms.Leaders also want to be able to identify public spaces where people could meet safely and provide protective gear to faculty and students.“We will be back in session in fall,” Cross said. “How we deliver that, it won't be normal.

Exclusive 1-on-1: VP Pence says he, Pres. Trump 'both negative' after valet diagnosed with COVID-19

Exclusive 1-on-1: VP Pence says he, Pres. Trump 'both negative' after valet diagnosed with COVID-19

MILWAUKEE -- Vice President Mike Pence told FOX6's Jason Calvi Thursday, May 7 he tested negative for COVID-19 after news broke that a valet serving President Donald Trump tested positive.The White House confirmed that a member of the military who serves as one of President Trump's valets tested positive for COVID-19.

MILWAUKEE -- Vice President Mike Pence told FOX6's Jason Calvi Thursday, May 7 he tested negative for COVID-19 after news broke that a valet serving President Donald Trump tested positive.The White House confirmed that a member of the military who serves as one of President Trump's valets tested positive for COVID-19.

Wisconsin GOP pushes for regional reopening; Gov. Evers says 'there may be cases where we do it'

Wisconsin GOP pushes for regional reopening; Gov. Evers says 'there may be cases where we do it'

MADISON — Republicans in more rural parts of Wisconsin joined with business owners to push for a regional reopening plan Thursday, May 7 to give the economy a boost, as the Department of Workforce Development warned that the state fund that pays unemployment claims could run out of money in five months.Meanwhile, Democratic Gov.

MADISON — Republicans in more rural parts of Wisconsin joined with business owners to push for a regional reopening plan Thursday, May 7 to give the economy a boost, as the Department of Workforce Development warned that the state fund that pays unemployment claims could run out of money in five months.Meanwhile, Democratic Gov.

'We want this to be safe:' COVID-19 precautions in place, Advocate Aurora expanding services

'We want this to be safe:' COVID-19 precautions in place, Advocate Aurora expanding services

MILWAUKEE -- Advocate Aurora Health is expanding its services across the state at all locations following a plateau that the company said it is seeing in the number of coronavirus cases.

MILWAUKEE -- Advocate Aurora Health is expanding its services across the state at all locations following a plateau that the company said it is seeing in the number of coronavirus cases.

Brookfield family pays tribute to lost baseball season with 'Little Mermaid' parody music video

Brookfield family pays tribute to lost baseball season with 'Little Mermaid' parody music video

BROOKFIELD -- Right about now, the Milwaukee Brewers would normally be in full swing, folks would be singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and little league baseball would be right around the corner.That's all on hold, but a Brookfield family is showcasing their love of the game, rewriting a song from "The Little Mermaid."

BROOKFIELD -- Right about now, the Milwaukee Brewers would normally be in full swing, folks would be singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and little league baseball would be right around the corner.That's all on hold, but a Brookfield family is showcasing their love of the game, rewriting a song from "The Little Mermaid."

Esper: Pentagon ready for any new wave of coronavirus

Esper: Pentagon ready for any new wave of coronavirus

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Venturing beyond Washington for the first time since March, Defense Secretary Mark Esper got updated Thursday on the military’s coronavirus battle plan and declared the Pentagon ready for any new wave of infections.“We are preparing for a second wave and maybe more,” said Esper, who took a variety of health precautions during his visit to U.S. Northern Command headquarters, including wearing a mask when social distancing wasn't possible. “We don’t know what the trajectory of this virus will be.”He added, ”We are preparing for the long haul.”Esper’s visit comes as he faces criticism from some Senate Democrats who say the Pentagon approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic has been slow and disjointed.And it reflects President Trump’s push for a reopening of the country and demonstrations of the administration’s shift from crisis management to rebooting a battered economy.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Venturing beyond Washington for the first time since March, Defense Secretary Mark Esper got updated Thursday on the military’s coronavirus battle plan and declared the Pentagon ready for any new wave of infections.“We are preparing for a second wave and maybe more,” said Esper, who took a variety of health precautions during his visit to U.S. Northern Command headquarters, including wearing a mask when social distancing wasn't possible. “We don’t know what the trajectory of this virus will be.”He added, ”We are preparing for the long haul.”Esper’s visit comes as he faces criticism from some Senate Democrats who say the Pentagon approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic has been slow and disjointed.And it reflects President Trump’s push for a reopening of the country and demonstrations of the administration’s shift from crisis management to rebooting a battered economy.