We Energies warns customers of utility scam calls hitting Milwaukee area

MILWAUKEE -- We Energies is alerting customers to an increase in utility scam calls hitting the Milwaukee area.A news release says scammers are calling customers saying they are from We Energies.

Wisconsin Dem congressional reps send letter to FEMA, say state's received no COVID testing materials

MADISON -- Democratic Wisconsin Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Ron Kind (WI-03) sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) questioning why Wisconsin has received none of the testing materials requested on March 28 and 29 -- specifically testing kits, test collection swabs and reagents.A news release Thursday, April 16 from Rep.

Open Record Special Edition: Exposing an outbreak

CUDAHY -- Less than 24 hours after a FOX6 investigation exposed growing concerns about a COVID-19 outbreak in Cudahy, the Patrick Cudahy plant announces it's closing for two weeks.

Scam text message says you've come in contact with someone with coronavirus

THOMASTON, Maine -- Police are warning residents about a new texting scam designed to scare you into thinking you've come in contact with someone with COVID-19.The Thomaston Police Department in Maine posted the warning to their Facebook page.The message reads, "Someone who came in contact with you tested positive or has shown symptoms for COVID-19 & recommends you self-isolate/get tested."There is a link attached for users to click on for more information, but police said don't do it."If you receive a text message like the one pictured below, DO NOT click the link!

Video shows hundreds of Disney buses parked at Magic Kingdom as theme parks remain closed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (FOX 13) --  Visitors at Walt Disney World are used to seeing Disney buses throughout the resort area -- but they're definitely not used to seeing them all in one spot.Brian Evans recorded video as he drove past the parking lot for the Transportation and Ticket Center at the Magic Kingdom on Sunday.His video shows row after row of Disney's buses in the parking lot -- taking up spaces normally used by thousands of tourists each day.Disney closed all of its properties in Florida and California back in mid-March, later extending the closures "until further notice" to help stop the spread of coronavirus."While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company's top priority," the company said.While the parks remain closed, Disney has been sharing some of its most popular recipes, including its Dole Whip, churro bites, and signature grilled cheese.

3 shot during 'socially distant' family barbecue in California

RICHMOND, Calif. -- Police in California said three young men in their 20s were shot while having a family BBQ in a carport so they could try their best to practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.Sgt.

China foreign ministry: WHO found no evidence coronavirus started in lab

WUHAN, China -- China's foreign ministry Thursday, April 16 told reporters the World Health Organization has said there is no evidence the coronavirus outbreak came from a laboratory, according to a report.Spokesman Zhao Lijian was responding to a question about accusations the virus originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, according to Reuters.FOX News reported Wednesday that there is increasing confidence the COVID-19 outbreak likely started in a Wuhan laboratory.

Small business lending program on hold after reaching limit

NEW YORK — The government’s lending program for small businesses is on hold.The Small Business Administration said Thursday that it reached the $349 billion lending limit for the program, after approving nearly 1.7 million loans.Thousands of small business owners whose loans have not yet been processed must now wait for Congress to approve a Trump administration request for another $250 billion for the program.

Singing surgeon who's gone viral with top-notch performances amid COVID-19 releasing 1st EP

NEW YORK — Elvis Francois, the orthopedic surgery resident who has gone viral with his top-notch live performances at hospitals, knew from adolescence he wanted to help heal the world through medicine.But through music?

Versiti calls for more plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help those critically ill

MILWAUKEE -- After announcing on April 2 they would begin collecting plasma from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus in an effort to help those critically ill with COVID-19, officials with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin on Thursday, April 16 offered an update on the plasma transfusions, and called for more donations from recovered patients.As of Thursday, Versiti officials said eight plasma donations resulted in transfusions to 14 patients, noting that "more plasma is needed from recovered COVID-19 patients in order to fulfill the high volume of requests being received by Versiti from local hospitals."Potential donors are encouraged to call a special hotline to schedule: 1-866-702-HOPE (866-702-4673) or CLICK HERE.“We are encouraged by the requests coming in for this product,” said Versiti Chief Medical Officer Thomas Abshire, M.D. in a news release Thursday. “It represents hope for patients battling the disease, and serves as a measure of encouragement that the plasma might be a positive treatment, along with other therapies, until the delivery of a vaccine.”

West Allis police make 6-year-old boy's birthday extra special!

WEST ALLIS -- A West Allis family could not be more thankful for the actions of their police department -- which made a 6-year-old boy's birthday extra special.On Wednesday, April 15, it was young Caleb's birthday.

BBB alert: Scammers target seniors during the coronavirus pandemic

MILWAUKEE -- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is receiving several reports from seniors reporting that they are receiving text messages from scammers posing as the U.S. Department of Health, about taking a mandatory online COVID-19 test in order to receive the recently approved stimulus payment.

Gov. Evers tells President Trump Wisconsin faces $2 billion in losses

MADISON — Wisconsin faces $2 billion in revenue losses due to skyrocketing unemployment and other hits to the economy caused by the coronavirus, Gov.

Florida animal shelter's kennels empty 'for 1st time in history' after every dog adopted

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For the first time in its history, a Florida animal shelter's kennels were completely emptied after all of the dogs were adopted.Volunteer staff at the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control cheered in front of empty dog cages as a show of appreciation."Thank you to the shelter staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for, find homes for, and advocate for the pets who come through these doors; thank you to our incredible foster parents who open their heart and homes to thousands of pets each year; thank you to everyone who has opted to adopt a shelter pet - whether it be here or from any of the other amazing organizations out there," the organization wrote on its Facebook page.Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control said the kennel shown is one of three at the facility, usually housing strays and overflows from the adoption kennel -- and the first ever to have been emptied completely.According to the organization, two cats, two horses and a pig are still available for adoption, and are being cared for by volunteers staying inside the facility to preserve social distancing efforts.Two counties south, Miami-Dade Animal Services and Friends of Miami Animals Foundation planned to hold a virtual adoption session over Facebook Live on April 16, where adoption counselors would showcase adoptable animals and answer questions.

Facebook to warn users who 'liked' coronavirus hoaxes

NEW YORK — Have you liked or commented on a Facebook post about the COVID-19 pandemic that turned out to be a hoax?The social media company said Thursday it is now going to let users know if they liked, reacted or commented on posts with harmful misinformation about the virus that moderators later removed.