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Milwaukee museum announces Dr. Fauchi bobblehead

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House COVID-19 task force, is the latest public figure to be honored with a bobblehead by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee.

“Dr. Anthony Fauci has become America’s voice of reason as one of the lead members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.”

Phil Skar from the Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum said five dollars from the $25 purchase price will go towards the American Hospital Association to support the 100 Million Masks Challenge.

The bobble is expected to be released in July of 2020, and the museum is currently taking pre-orders through their website.

Support Wisconsin made products during the COVID-19 response

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The economic slowdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting Wisconsin’s farmers and food producers especially hard.

Alice in Dairyland Abigail Martin says buying local and keeping produce moving is vital to Wisconsin’s farmers. 

“1 in 9 people working in our state to hold a job related to agriculture so agriculture is really important to provide food for us but also to keep our economy going.” 

That’s over 437,000 people. A major portion of Wisconsin’s food and dairy goes to food service companies, so while restaurants are closed, more and more food isn’t going to market. 

Martin says more and more, people need to be looking for and buying Wisconsin-made food. 

“Your dollars aren’t going too far away from home and you’re going to be supporting your neighbors that are working in agriculture so that’s really one thing that we could be doing to help during this time.”

Martin says that the longer the shutdown lasts, the harder it will be to rebound for farmers. 

Gov. Evers puts hold on evictions during COVID-19 emergency

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Governor Evers is officially putting a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, for now

The order, signed on Friday, will prohibit banks and landlords from going through evictions or foreclosures due to non-payment against their tenants and homeowners for the next 60 days. This is not a rent forgiveness order, and people still owe that money.

Evers says people who are able to continue to meet their financial obligations are urged to do so.

Banks reassure customers their accounts remain accessible and safe

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Sheltering at home doesn’t mean you need to rush out and make a big withdrawal from your bank or credit union. Rose Oswald Poels is CEO and President of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, says people are understandably concerned about access to their money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You will always have access to your money in a bank or credit union account through use of your debit card, through use of ATM machines. None of that is changing.” All Wisconsin banks and credit unions remain open for business, and individual accounts are insured up to $250,000.

Poels said withdrawing a large amount of cash runs the risk of it being stolen, lost or damaged. “So it’s really not safe to take money out of the bank and literally put it under the mattress at home.”

Banks are considered an essential service under Governor Tony Evers’ order closing non-essential businesses.

DFI issues cautions to lenders amid COVID-19 crisis

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The state Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has issued emergency guidance for payday and licensed lenders. DFI Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld notes that 53 percent of Wisconsinites live paycheck-to-paycheck, and many will be turning to lenders for help.

DFI cautions payday and licensed lenders that increasing interest rates, fees, or any costs of borrowing in response to the COVID-19 crisis may result in license suspension or revocation. The department also encourages the reduction of rates and fees as low as operational expenses and sound lending practices allow.

“This is a time of uncertainty and financial strain for many in this state, and our lenders are in a position to help,” Blumenfeld said. “Wisconsin needs them to be a part of the solution for struggling families by acting with the character and ingenuity this crisis demands.”

Social Security offices closed for in-person servics

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All Wisconsin Social Security offices closed Tuesday, for in-person services. The U.S. Social Security Administration encourages accessing services online, including applying for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits.

If you have questions that cannot be answered online, check the online field office locator to learn how to directly contact your local office.

People with an in-office appointment or scheduled hearing will receive a call you to discuss alternatives. The call may come from a private number.

Watch out for coronavirus scams

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With the coronavirus comes coronavirus scams. The Wisconsin Division of Consumer Protection says it’s getting calls from people who’ve gotten e-mails from scam artists trying to take advantage.

The most common scam tries to steal your personal information. Consumer Protection also says there are phony websites that purport to have a cure for the virus, and a number of phony charities have popped-up as well. Consumer Protection officials say if you get an unsolicited e-mail about the coronavirus, just delete it.

State reaches agreement with Sprint and T-Mobile meger

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The state of Wisconsin has struck an agreement with Sprint and T-Mobile over their merger. T-Mobile customer plans will continue for at least two more years.

The agreement requires the newly-merged company to provide phone and internet plans tailored to low-income Wisconsin families. Josh Kaul was one of several state attorneys general who tried to stop T-Mobile and Sprint from merging in the first place. A judge ruled against the AG’s last month.

UW-Stevens Point Trivia Contest put on hold

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The annual UW-Stevens Point Trivia Contest has been put on hold thanks to COVID-19, and it’s just one more ripple that could hurt the local economy.

Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza (WE-zah) says this is going to have a significant impact on Portage County businesses. 

“Whether they’re putting up on signs on their billboards, or offering Trivia specials, they’ve come to expect that you’re going to have another 12-thousand people here eating, buying groceries, buying groceries, all of those things.”

“The trickle down effect of that financial loss is going to be felt for months to come.”

Campus officials had banned large gatherings, which would have prevented registration and operation of the event. The Contest will now be held in October, after homecoming. 

‘Focus on Energy’ now provides content in Spanish

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Wisconsin’s statewide Focus On Energy has launched new Spanish-language web pages. This new content provides details of many of Focus on Energy’s most-popular offerings for Wisconsin residents. It includes information on the benefits of air sealing and insulation and energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning.

The site also includes links to help find Spanish-speaking contractors and offers pages that explain how to order free energy-savings home products, access Focus on Energy’s free appliance recycling service, and links to the Program’s retail discounts page and online marketplace.

Also in 2020, Focus on Energy will be offering Spanish-language applications for financial incentives related to energy efficiency projects.
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