Human remains found in U-Haul trucks outside Brooklyn funeral home

Human remains found in U-Haul trucks outside Brooklyn funeral home

BROOKLYN, N.Y. --  Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.The bodies were found inside vehicles parked on Utica Avenue in the Flatlands section on Wednesday afternoon.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. --  Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.The bodies were found inside vehicles parked on Utica Avenue in the Flatlands section on Wednesday afternoon.

European economy suffers record drop amid pandemic

European economy suffers record drop amid pandemic

FRANKFURT, Germany — The European economy shrank by a record 3.8% in the first quarter as business activity from hotels and restaurants to construction and manufacturing was frozen by shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.The drop in the 19-country eurozone was the biggest since statistics began in 1995 and sharper than the plunge in the midst of the global financial crisis in the first quarter of 2009 after the bankruptcy of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers.The drop compares to a 4.8% contraction in the U.S. during the first quarter as the shock from the outbreak hits economies around the world.Unemployment rose only slightly, however, even amid the massive shutdowns that idled everything from florists to factories.

FRANKFURT, Germany — The European economy shrank by a record 3.8% in the first quarter as business activity from hotels and restaurants to construction and manufacturing was frozen by shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.The drop in the 19-country eurozone was the biggest since statistics began in 1995 and sharper than the plunge in the midst of the global financial crisis in the first quarter of 2009 after the bankruptcy of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers.The drop compares to a 4.8% contraction in the U.S. during the first quarter as the shock from the outbreak hits economies around the world.Unemployment rose only slightly, however, even amid the massive shutdowns that idled everything from florists to factories.

6,636 positive cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, 311 deaths; 3K+ recovered, 66K+ negative

6,636 positive cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, 311 deaths; 3K+ recovered, 66K+ negative

MILWAUKEE — Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 reported 6,520 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 1,489 (23%) requiring hospitalization.

MILWAUKEE — Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 reported 6,520 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 1,489 (23%) requiring hospitalization.

DHS identifies 100+ facility-based coronavirus outbreaks in SE WI; specific locations not revealed

DHS identifies 100+ facility-based coronavirus outbreaks in SE WI; specific locations not revealed

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 unveiled a new dashboard tracking COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, workplaces and health care facilities -- showing 187 facility-based outbreaks in the state -- most of them in southeast Wisconsin.

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 unveiled a new dashboard tracking COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, workplaces and health care facilities -- showing 187 facility-based outbreaks in the state -- most of them in southeast Wisconsin.

'It did not work:' Advocate, vet treated with hydroxychloroquine before death due to COVID-19

'It did not work:' Advocate, vet treated with hydroxychloroquine before death due to COVID-19

MILWAUKEE -- George Matthews, a Milwaukee advocate and Army veteran, will be laid to rest Thursday, April 30, after passing away at the age of 67 as a result of complications of COVID-19.The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way veterans are honored when they die.

MILWAUKEE -- George Matthews, a Milwaukee advocate and Army veteran, will be laid to rest Thursday, April 30, after passing away at the age of 67 as a result of complications of COVID-19.The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way veterans are honored when they die.

Menards, Costco to require customers to wear face masks while shopping: 'There's no reason not to'

Menards, Costco to require customers to wear face masks while shopping: 'There's no reason not to'

MILWAUKEE -- Wearing a mask is a simple way to protect store employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Eau Claire-based retailer Menards is now requiring its customers to wear a mask while inside the store.

MILWAUKEE -- Wearing a mask is a simple way to protect store employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Eau Claire-based retailer Menards is now requiring its customers to wear a mask while inside the store.

Neighbors use fence to create makeshift bar counter amid coronavirus pandemic

Neighbors use fence to create makeshift bar counter amid coronavirus pandemic

QUEENSLAND, Australia -- Neighbors in Australia found a fun way to quench their thirst and still abide by social distancing guidelines.On Cumberland Drive in Varsity Lakes, Queensland, neighbors transformed the fence separating their domiciles into an “iso-bar” on April 25.

QUEENSLAND, Australia -- Neighbors in Australia found a fun way to quench their thirst and still abide by social distancing guidelines.On Cumberland Drive in Varsity Lakes, Queensland, neighbors transformed the fence separating their domiciles into an “iso-bar” on April 25.

Many US workers laid off due to COVID-19 might make more money with unemployment benefits

Many US workers laid off due to COVID-19 might make more money with unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Roughly half of all laid-off workers in the United States could reportedly make more money in unemployment benefits than they did at their job prior to the coronavirus pandemic.The outbreak of COVID-19 shut down a wide swath of businesses, leading to an estimated 1 in 6 American workers having lost their job over the past six weeks.Unemployment benefits, combined with the additional coronavirus stimulus relief laws signed in March, means the average weekly payment to a laid-off worker should rise to about $978 — up from $377.97 paid on average in 2019, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.To compare, half of the nation’s full-time workers earned $957 or less a week in the first quarter of 2020, data shows.The relief package, known as the CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March, includes a $600-a-week boost through July 31, on top of unemployment benefits.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Roughly half of all laid-off workers in the United States could reportedly make more money in unemployment benefits than they did at their job prior to the coronavirus pandemic.The outbreak of COVID-19 shut down a wide swath of businesses, leading to an estimated 1 in 6 American workers having lost their job over the past six weeks.Unemployment benefits, combined with the additional coronavirus stimulus relief laws signed in March, means the average weekly payment to a laid-off worker should rise to about $978 — up from $377.97 paid on average in 2019, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.To compare, half of the nation’s full-time workers earned $957 or less a week in the first quarter of 2020, data shows.The relief package, known as the CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March, includes a $600-a-week boost through July 31, on top of unemployment benefits.

Kenosha County rolls out drive-thru to aid 'desperate need' for more COVID-19 testing

Kenosha County rolls out drive-thru to aid 'desperate need' for more COVID-19 testing

KENOSHA -- State leaders say the key to opening Wisconsin is an increase in testing, and in Kenosha County, you can now get swabbed for COVID-19 from your car.

KENOSHA -- State leaders say the key to opening Wisconsin is an increase in testing, and in Kenosha County, you can now get swabbed for COVID-19 from your car.

Generous donation leads to surprised customers at Milwaukee grocery store

Generous donation leads to surprised customers at Milwaukee grocery store

MILWAUKEE -- Businesswoman Tonit Calaway, Judge David Swanson, and former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig made a donation to help people in Milwaukee cover their groceries during these tough times.

MILWAUKEE -- Businesswoman Tonit Calaway, Judge David Swanson, and former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig made a donation to help people in Milwaukee cover their groceries during these tough times.

President Trump says he won't extend social distancing guidelines

President Trump says he won't extend social distancing guidelines

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday the federal government’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines will be “fading out” when they expire Thursday, counting on states taking charge as they pivot to reopening.The administration says its cautionary guidance issued 45 days ago has been incorporated into recommendations given to the states on how they can begin gradually easing restrictions and reopening their economies.“They’ll be fading out because now the governors are doing it," President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday as he met with John Bel Edwards, the Democratic governor of Louisiana.Edwards told President Trump that his state has turned the corner in its fight against the virus, meeting on a day that brought hopeful signs for a new treatment but also grim economic numbers.The U.S. economy shrank at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter — a precursor to far grimmer reports that are expected this summer from the pandemic that has shut down much of the country and triggered a severe recession.While President Trump spoke confidently of the governors steering recovery in their states, the transition is not going smoothly everywhere.“I just wanted to congratulate you,” President Trump said to Edwards, commending him on the job he’s done after New Orleans became one of the nation's coronavirus hot spots.However, Edwards is currently under fire from Republican lawmakers in his state after he extended Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through May 15.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday the federal government’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines will be “fading out” when they expire Thursday, counting on states taking charge as they pivot to reopening.The administration says its cautionary guidance issued 45 days ago has been incorporated into recommendations given to the states on how they can begin gradually easing restrictions and reopening their economies.“They’ll be fading out because now the governors are doing it," President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday as he met with John Bel Edwards, the Democratic governor of Louisiana.Edwards told President Trump that his state has turned the corner in its fight against the virus, meeting on a day that brought hopeful signs for a new treatment but also grim economic numbers.The U.S. economy shrank at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter — a precursor to far grimmer reports that are expected this summer from the pandemic that has shut down much of the country and triggered a severe recession.While President Trump spoke confidently of the governors steering recovery in their states, the transition is not going smoothly everywhere.“I just wanted to congratulate you,” President Trump said to Edwards, commending him on the job he’s done after New Orleans became one of the nation's coronavirus hot spots.However, Edwards is currently under fire from Republican lawmakers in his state after he extended Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through May 15.