COVID vaccination agreement Milwaukee, police union

The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) have signed an agreement that requires union members to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22. 

Former USC football player charged in COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud scheme

Former USC football player Abdul-Malik McClain allegedly organized and assisted a group of other USC football players in filing fraudulent claims for hundreds of thousands of dollars of COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

At-home COVID tests are hard to come by

The Walgreens pharmacy was sold out of at-home COVID tests. The shelves were empty and a sign at the pharmacy window said they were out of stock. Shoppers faced the same shortage at the CVS pharmacy nearby where the shelf was bare.

South Africa's COVID-19 case drop may show its omicron peak has passed

South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.

Lightfoot mandates proof of vaccination to enter Chicago bars, restaurants and other venues

“If you wish to live life as normally as possible, with the ease to do the things that you love, you must be vaccinated in the city of Chicago starting Jan. 3,” said Lightfoot. “This health order might pose an inconvenience to the unvaccinated, and the fact is, it's inconvenient by design.”

COVID testing sites search part of Google, Biden partnership

Those interested in learning if they have the virus can search “free COVID test near me” to find the closest site

Milwaukee's Thoreau School goes virtual over COVID concerns

Milwaukee's Henry David Thoreau School is moving to virtual learning on Wednesday, Dec. 22 over COVID-19 concerns.

Milwaukee COVID testing: Holiday, omicron cause surge

The holidays and the omicron variant, coupled with a crush of new confirmed COVID-19 cases, have led to a spike in testing across Milwaukee.

COVID-19 surge: Here’s what’s canceled or closing across the US

As the omicron variant continues to spread across the country, many events are getting canceled and businesses are closing.

Milwaukee COVID clinic holiday hours start Friday

The Milwaukee Health Department will have modified hours for COVID-19 services during the upcoming holidays beginning with changes Dec. 24.

CDC data: Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in US

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. Federal health officials said Monday that omicron accounted for an estimated 73% of new infections last week.

Milwaukee's Metcalfe School goes virtual over COVID concerns

Milwaukee's Ralph H. Metcalfe School will move to virtual learning starting Tuesday, Dec. 21 over concerns related to COVID-19.

Swedish company showcases microchip that can download COVID-19 passport status

A microchip technology introduced in recent years by the Stockholm-based startup, Epicenter, is being presented as a means to store one's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the skin, according to a video from the South China Post that went viral Friday.

Public health advisory issued ahead of holidays: DHS

Several hospital systems across the state are under tremendous pressure and health officials are alarmed by the number of confirmed cases they're seeing.

Florida Army veteran pays off past-due utility bills for families ahead of Christmas

A Florida Army veteran who once spent a Christmas without electricity is continuing to pay it forward for his neighbors in need for the holidays. This is the third year he's paid off all of the past-due utility bills in his city ahead of Christmas.

UWM's 1st in-person graduation since 2019

UW-Milwaukee's in-person graduation ceremony celebrated graduates in front of family and friends for the first time since 2019.