Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. donates protective equipment to Milwaukee police

MILWAUKEE --  Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. -- the company that produces Summerfest -- donated hundreds of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Milwaukee Police Department on Friday, April 3.In total, 700 Tyvek suits and 200 pairs of shoe coverings were donated.

Health care workers call supply shortage ‘a crisis’

WASHINGTON — Health care workers across the country are continuing to sound the alarm about the lack of medical supplies at hospitals.“If we do not have a coordinated response, people are going to die.

Face masks recommended, though President Trump says he won't wear one

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says his administration is encouraging many Americans to wear face masks in public, though he stresses that the recommendation is optional and is conceding that he will not be complying with it.The new guidelines encourage people to use more rudimentary covering like T-shirts, bandannas and non-medical masks.The new recommendations are set to be announced at a time when states are bracing for critical shortfalls like those that other parts of the world have experienced.

Kenosha County unveils new, enhanced COVID-19 information hub

KENOSHA -- The Kenosha County Joint Information Center unveiled on Friday, April 3 a new, enhanced COVID-19 information hub.A news release says the site offers links to relevant resources, answers to frequently asked questions and regularly updated local, state and national statistics on the COVID-19 virus.

Health officials announce Racine County's 1st coronavirus-related death

RACINE -- The Central Racine County Health Department announced Friday, April 3 the county's first death related to COVID-19 -- a man in his 70s who died as a result of complications.“We are so saddened by this death and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and community,” said Margaret Gesner, Health Officer for the Central Racine County Health Department. “Our health department continues to work tirelessly and employ all possible resources to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its impact on our community.”As of 3 p.m. Friday, April 3, there are 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Racine County and more than 1,900 confirmed cases and more than 40 deaths statewide.

Pandemic forcing NBA players to work out with what's on hand, just like the rest of us

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo is spending much of his time during the coronavirus-imposed hiatus working out, helping care for his newborn son and playing occasional video games.What the reigning MVP isn’t doing very often is shooting baskets since the NBA has closed team practice facilities.“I don’t have access to a hoop,” the Milwaukee Bucks forward said Friday during a conference call. “A lot of NBA players might have a court in their house or something, I don’t know, but now I just get my home workouts, (go) on the bike, treadmill, lift weights, stay sharp that way.”The hiatus is forcing thousands of athletes, pro and otherwise, to work out from home as they try to keep in shape.

'A matter of life and death:' Small business rescue off to slow start; some banks not ready

NEW YORK — The federal government's relief program for small businesses is off to a slow start Friday, with only some businesses able to apply and several banks either not accepting applications or seeing long waits to do approvals.Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

US sheds most jobs in a decade, ending record hiring streak

WASHINGTON — A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade, as employers slashed hundreds of thousands of jobs because of the viral outbreak that has all but shut down the U.S. economy.

Open Record Special Edition: What they're not telling you

MILWAUKEE -- During this pandemic, transparency is what allows us to hold leaders accountable and get context for the other information we have and make decisions about our own health.

Wisconsin teenager allegedly threatened with jail over COVID-19 posts

MADISON, Wis. — A 16-year-old Wisconsin high school sophomore who had symptoms of the coronavirus and posted about it on social media was ordered by a sheriff’s deputy to delete the posts and threatened with being taken to jail, her attorney said Friday.The teenager is a student in the Westfield School District in Marquette County.

Milton PD: Police impersonator asked victim why she was out with 'Stay at Home' order in place

MILTON -- Officers in Milton are investigating a report of a police impersonator after an incident on Wednesday evening, April 1.Officials say the reporting person was driving on S.

Waukesha County suspends some public transit routes until 'Safer at Home' order lifted

WAUKESHA -- Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow signed on Thursday, April 2 an emergency declaration which suspends some public transit route trips in the county.Officials say the order was issued to protect the health of transit employees and riders, to prevent community spread of COVID-19, and to comply with the "Safer at Home Order" issued by Gov.

Trek Bicycle offers free home delivery for all online bike orders through May 1

WATERLOO, Wis -- Trek Bicycle announced on Friday, April 3 that it is launching free home delivery throughout the continental US for online bike orders through May 1 -- all because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Trek revealed in a news release that it is waiving the standard $50 fee associated with home delivery and is working with independent and Trek-owned bike shops regionally on delivery logistics where available.For Trek customers, the process is simple: after choosing a bike and moving onto checkout, shoppers can now select a local bike shop that ‘Offers Home Delivery’ from the list of Trek retailers in their area – there are over 1400 participating retail locations to choose from across the country.