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St. Louis demolition crew accidentally hits transmission tower with wall, causing explosion

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St. Louis demolition crew accidentally hits transmission tower with wall, causing explosion

A wrecking crew tearing down a burned-out St. Louis factory accidentally knocked a brick wall into a transmission tower Friday, causing a brief explosion and power to flicker for some downtown buildings.

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No one was hurt, but the St. Louis Board of Aldermen lost its livestream, forcing officials to recess briefly, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

An explosion is seen as a wall hits a transmission tower at the site of a St. Louis factory on Feb. 9, 2024. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Officials have not said what caused the accident.

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Crews were demolishing a five-story warehouse near the Mississippi River that burned Saturday. The massive fire at the vacant building created smoke that could be seen for several miles. About 80 firefighters were called to the scene.

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Midwest

McDonald’s locks doors to keep out individuals who present ‘a risk’ in crime-ridden Minneapolis area

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McDonald’s locks doors to keep out individuals who present ‘a risk’ in crime-ridden Minneapolis area

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A viral post featuring a notice from a local McDonald’s restaurant is drawing new attention to concerns about rising crime in Uptown Minneapolis.

Attached to a door, the sign reads: “Attention guests, effective Friday, December 5th, our dining room doors will be locked and attended [to] during our normal business hours of 5am-10pm to ensure a safe environment.”

“We will deny access to any individual who we consider a risk to maintaining a safe environment for our guests,” it continued.

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McDonald’s confirmed the notice to Fox News Digital.

Mike Darula, local owner and operator of the franchise, told Fox News Digital in a statement that the venue has “proudly been part of the Uptown community for more than 30 years.”

A viral McDonald’s notice reveals new safety measures taken at an Uptown Minneapolis location amid rising crime. (Reuters)

“At our Uptown restaurant, we’ve made some updates to our security measures to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for both our crew and customers,” he added.

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The restaurant has faced ongoing issues with trespassing.

It previously tried community-based solutions before ultimately deciding to lock its dining room doors.

“Attention guests, effective Friday, December 5th, our dining room doors will be locked and attended [to] during our normal business hours of 5am-10pm to ensure a safe environment,” a notice says at a local McDonald’s.  (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

There are 11 McDonald’s restaurants located in Minneapolis, with over 13,500 McDonald’s locations in the U.S., according to their site.

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Minneapolis had 4,473 total violent crimes in this fiscal year, 2,839 cases of aggravated assault and 65 homicides, according to police data.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been cracking down on crime in the Twin Cities metropolitan area as part of Operation Metro Surge. (Tim Evans/Reuters)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been cracking down on crime in the Twin Cities metropolitan area as part of Operation Metro Surge.

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Recently, about a dozen “child sex offenders, domestic abusers and violent gang members” were arrested, the department noted.

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“ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans … No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement in early December. 

Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed reporting.

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Detroit, MI

With 46k outages around Michigan, Metro Detroit prepares for power loss

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With 46k outages around Michigan, Metro Detroit prepares for power loss


With a High Wind Warning and high wind gusts expected to hit Southeast Michigan on Monday, utilities are preparing for a busy afternoon with possible outages.

DTE says it has response teams in place to deal with a loss of power to homes around the region.

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DTE: Weather may cause power outages

According to DTE, approximately 6,200 homes were without power to start things out this week.

That number could rise as the wind picks up throughout the day. Gusts up to 60 mph are expected to blow through in the late morning and early afternoon. 

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“Our Storm Response Teams are ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” read a note from DTE on their website. 

The company will also be providing an update on their prepared response at 9 a.m.

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Tap here to see the DTE outage map

Dig deeper:

If someone does come across a downed power line, they should avoid the spot. 

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DTE recommends staying at least 25 feet away from the downed lines, and assume they are live and dangerous. If anyone sees downed power lines, they’re asked to report it here.

If there is an emergency, such as a fire or you see a power line on an unoccupied car, first call 911 then call the power company. DTE Energy can be reached at 800-477-4747. Consumers Energy can be reached at 800-477-5050.

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More: How to apply for reimbursement from DTE, Consumers Energy

If you are inside your vehicle and a wire falls on it, DTE says to stay in your vehicle and call 911. 

However, if you must get out of the vehicle, DTE advises removing loose clothing, and getting out without touching the frame. Jump with your feet together to avoid touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Do not remove your feet until you are at least 20 feet away from the vehicle. 

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46k Outages Elsewhere

The recent blast of active weather over the weekend has already knocked out power for a big chunk of the state further to the north.

Approximately 46,000 households remain without power, according to Consumers Energy.

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The bulk of those outages are north of Mount Pleasant, near Claire off of Highway 127.

See the outage map here.

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According to Consumers Energy, they have 500 crews responding to the outages and hope to have power restored by 10 p.m.

High Wind Warning

Michigan will be under a high wind warning for the majority of Monday. 

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The National Weather Service issued the order from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. The winds will shift from Southwest to Northwest at 25 to 35 mph. Occasional gusts between 45 and 55 mph are expected with a speeds climbing to 60 mph.

That means downed wires and tree branches are not out of the question.

Incoming snow could also worsen visibility on the road. 

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The Source: Data from DTE and Consumers Energy, as well as forecast information from the National Weather Service were cited for this story. 

ConsumerMetro DetroitAround Michigan



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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee shoppers frustrated by grocery prices as election year nears

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Milwaukee shoppers frustrated by grocery prices as election year nears


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  • Voters in Wisconsin are frustrated with high prices, which could impact the 2026 midterm elections.
  • Financial experts suggest that prices, which have risen significantly since 2020, are unlikely to decrease.
  • Many shoppers are cutting back on expenses like food, travel, and personal care to cope with the rising cost of living.
  • A recent poll found that 75% of Wisconsin residents surveyed said their grocery costs have gone up.

Adriana Maldonado is a yoga therapist in Wauwatosa with two children at home and three who are grown up that she tries to help with groceries. She has a one-word description for the economy.

“Awful.”

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Maldonado said she’s had to pick up extra work to pay bills and other expenses.  

“I also bartend at Gibraltar’s, and I also drive for Veyo, which picks up medical patients,” Maldonado said. “And whatever odds and ends I can do, I will do.” 

Maldonado added she has cut back on some spending.  

“I had to get rid of car insurance for a little while and then I just picked up a cheaper (policy),” Maldonado said. “I cut back on any eating out.” 

Maldonado said her faith in the political system and in politicians is broken.  

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“This is just playing a game on humans,” Maldonado said of the political process.

Maldonado said she encourages people to shop at small local businesses. 

“Stop shopping at large companies, come to more local places, put money back into our community,” Maldonado said. “It makes more sense. If we continue to shop the big (stores) we’re going to lose people. There’s so many businesses closing right now, it’s so sad.” 

Maldonado is in the sweet spot for one of the most consequential discussions happening across the country: How is the country doing economically? Is daily life affordable? Are we facing sticker shock at the grocery store?

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And the enduring political question: Are we better off today than the last time we voted?

President Donald Trump says the Golden Age is upon us, complaints about affordability are a hoax, and any concerns are the fault of the Biden administration combined with the Federal Reserve’s refusal to slash interest rates.

Countering that perspective:

  • National consumer sentiment sits near all-time lows, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly survey. The latest survey released Dec. 5 found sentiment improved slightly from November but remained 28 percentage points below December 2024 levels. “Consumers see modest improvements from November on a few dimensions, but the overall tenor of views is broadly somber, as consumers continue to cite the burden of high prices,” University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said.
  • The U.S. job market is showing signs of slowing, adding just 64,000 jobs in November, according to the most recent employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest in four years. Preliminary data for October 2025 released Dec. 16 showed a loss of 105,000 jobs that month, largely driven by layoffs of federal workers.
  • The Urban Institute reported in October that Americans are struggling to afford essentials like food, childcare and housing. Nearly four in five Americans believe the U.S. economy will not improve in the year ahead.
  • The U.S. job market has been stagnant in recent months, and paycheck growth has been falling steadily for more than three years. 
  • Consumers never adjusted to the supply chain chaos and dramatic rise in prices during the COVID pandemic. Many of those prices never came down. “The price level changed so much because we had such high inflation for a couple of years there and you’re continuing to add inflation to an already high price level … people haven’t had time to adjust to that,” said Dominic Ceci, chief investing officer for Johnson Financial Group. “In the last five years, we’ve had more inflation than we did in a long time. If you think about prices in 2020, pre-pandemic versus now, it’s a huge difference. It’s a whiplash effect.” 

Marquette Poll indicates widespread pessimism

According to the most recent Marquette Law School Poll, 47% of those surveyed in early November said their groceries have “gone up a lot,” and 28% said groceries have “gone up a little.”  

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In the same poll, people were asked to predict if the cost of living would increase, decrease or stay the same in the next 12 months. Two-thirds said they expect the cost of living to go up.

Historically, the party in power performs poorly in midterm elections. That means Republicans and Trump are running short on time to change people’s minds, according to Marquette Law School Poll director Charles Franklin.  

“He is now suffering from this widespread perception, and especially with swing voters, these policies aren’t helping inflation, they’re really exacerbating it,” Franklin said. “That’s tied to tariffs but also other things.” 

The widespread frustration with the economy helped Democratic candidates in New York, Virginia, New Jersey and Miami win races in 2025.  

“Politicians need to react to that,” Ceci said of voters’ feelings on the economy. “There’s some stuff they can do. There’s tax policy. There’s all kinds of things, but is it realistic that any of that gets done or gets done effectively? Probably not. You really need all of the people to come together to agree to pass bills and make things happen.”

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People coming together is not exactly a hallmark of today’s politics.

Milwaukee resident Blanca Rivera, a former parent educator with Bay View Community Center, said food in particular has gotten more expensive. She has three children, and two of them have already moved out or contribute financially to her household.

Even with fewer people to feed, Rivera said she’s spending around $400 per week on food for her family.

“The same amount of money that we spend now for only us three, it’s the same amount of money I used to spend for four to six people before,” said Rivera, who sometimes also shops for other relatives.

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To save money, Rivera has cut back on trips to see family members in El Salvador. She used to visit at least two or three times per year, but her budget now only allows for one.

“When you want to go over there, you don’t want to go empty handed. You wanted to bring something” for relatives, Rivera said. “I used to bring seven luggage bags – now I bring two.”

Rivera is also reducing personal care-related expenses to save more money for her family’s more basic needs.

“Before, I used to go and do my nails, my hair, maybe go to buy a nice perfume,” she said. “Now, I’ve got to wait three, four months to do my hair.”

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The Journal Sentinel went shopping last year. And then went back.

President Trump said prices would start falling shortly after he took office in January 2025, and in recent months said his administration is bringing down some prices and slowing inflation.

But lower prices have not been seen in Milwaukee area grocery stores.

In August 2024, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel collected the price of a basket of groceries at five Milwaukee-area stores: Walmart, Pick ‘n Save, Target, Festival Foods and Woodman’s.

On Dec. 2, 2025, the Journal Sentinel returned to the same stores to compare how prices changed over the past 16 months. Totals were collected using the same list of common staple items across all five stores. Name brand items were purchased; some stores offer house brands that would significantly bring down prices.

The full grocery list was:

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  • Almond Milk: 64 ounces 
  • 100% whole wheat bread: 24-ounce loaf 
  • Bacon: one pound 
  • Bananas  
  • Beef: one pound, 80% lean, not certified Angus  
  • Butter: one pound 
  • Cheerios: 8.9-ounce box 
  • Cheez-its: 12.4-ounce box 
  • Eggs: one dozen 
  • Flour: five pounds 
  • Green beans (canned) 
  • Strawberry jelly/jam: 18 ounces 
  • Iceberg lettuce: one head 
  • Milk: one gallon 
  • Oranges 
  • Paper towel: two-roll package 
  • Peanut butter: 18 ounces 
  • Toilet paper: six pack

At Walmart, 401 E. Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, the cost was $63.84 in August 2024, and $69.31 on Dec. 2 2025, up around 8.6%. Walmart remains the cheapest of the five stores.

At Woodman’s, 8131 S. Howell Ave. in Oak Creek, the cost was $61.38 in 2024 and $69.80 on Dec. 2, an increase of 13.7%.

At Festival Foods, 11111 W. Greenfield Ave., in West Allis, the cost was $85.62 in 2024 and $94.58 on Dec. 2, an increase of 10.5%.

At Target, 2950 S. Chase Ave., in Milwaukee, the cost was $69.88 in 2024 and $70.21 on Dec. 2, an increase of 0.5%. However, this Target does not carry a name-brand bag of flour, the house brand was substituted, likely lowering the overall cost.

Finally, at Pick ‘n Save, 605 E. Lyon St. in Milwaukee, the price was $83.18 in 2024 and $81.53 on Dec. 2. That’s a decrease of 2%.

Substituting store-brand alternatives for name-brand grocery items does offer some savings for customers. For example, Pick ‘n Save’s store-brand grocery list cost $57.33 in December.

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Some items fluctuated wildly in price since August 2024. A bird flu epidemic drove national egg prices to more than $6 per dozen in March 2025. Prices have dropped significantly since then, but the national average price of a dozen eggs in September 2025 remained above August 2024 levels.

The cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs at the five Milwaukee-area stores ranged from $1.97 to $2.49 on Dec. 2.

Is the affordability issue overblown?

Chris Dare was at the Milwaukee Public Market with his son Jake and noticed that meat prices were higher than at their butcher shop back home in Oshkosh.  

Still, both wondered if the broad reaction to elevated prices wasn’t a bit exaggerated.

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“I don’t think it’s as bad as people are making it sound,” Chris Dare said. “The disappointing thing for me was COVID was an open door for prices to go up, with somewhat legitimate reasons, but of course when those reasons went away, prices didn’t go back down, which we knew was going to happen.” 

His son Jake believes candidates will “weaponize” prices in upcoming elections.  

“The cost of living and the cost of buying things, the purchasing power of the wages you make is going to affect politics,” Jake Dare said. “After the elections come and go, I think it’ll flatten back out again and you’ll have two years of, probably, steady increases … it’s cyclical, any time the elections come around.” 

Both father and son think about how prices impact them when they go to the polls, and they encourage other voters to research candidates and vote based on what impacts them personally. 

“I don’t think anybody wants to admit it,” Chris Dare said, but “let’s be realistic, I’m voting 100% selfishly how things affect me.”

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Chris and Jake consider themselves conservative, but question what Trump could do in the near-term to lower prices.

“And unfortunately I don’t think any president has that much immediate control over the economy,” Chris Dare said. “As much as you’d like to have somebody march in and suddenly things turn around. … it doesn’t happen that quickly on the economy side.” 

Shoppers want specifics from candidates on solutions

Karen and Lee Veldboom live in the city of Waukesha and have learned to be more selective when at the grocery store.  

“We don’t buy beef,” Karen Veldboom said, adding that her family has cut back on sweets and other treats as well. “Everything is so volatile right now, you kind of go with what it is.” 

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Both believe prices and the economy will play a role in how people vote in 2026. And both yearn for the days of more civility and less anger.  

“We lean conservative but there’s so much craziness going on now, you don’t even know who to support,” Lee Veldboom said. “You can’t go two days in a row without hearing something totally outrageous.” 

Heather Wiese from Pewaukee has taken up thrift shopping since doing it with her daughter in 2020. 

It’s a good way for her to save money and support smaller businesses, she said.  

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But it’s a different feeling at the grocery store.  

“Prices are high, holy moly,” Wiese said. “The price of beef is way up. The price of everything is way up.” 

Wiese doesn’t expect the issue of affordability to go away anytime soon.  

“People really can’t afford a lot of stuff right now,” Wiese said. 

What she doesn’t want to hear is a lot of rhetoric without specifics.  

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“I would like more details,” Wiese said. “I don’t think on day one everything is going to go down.”

Despite promises, they certainly haven’t in the past.

The grocery bill is just one of many factors affecting households each month. Here’s the price of other common household expenses as of Dec. 16, 2025, compared to a year ago:

  • Gas, Milwaukee- Waukesha metro average: $2.499
  • Utility Bill, Typical We Energies customer: $135.94 per month
  • 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate, U.S. average: 6.22%
  • Rent, Milwaukee average: $1,250



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