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Here's the Christmas town where Santa’s elves answer thousands of letters

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Here's the Christmas town where Santa’s elves answer thousands of letters

Every Christmas season, letters to Santa flood in from kids around the world — but in Santa Claus, Indiana, volunteers become Santa’s elves to ensure every child gets a reply.

This small town, according to locals, was initially going to be called “Santa Fee.” Its request for city status, however, was denied due to an existing town already named Santa Fe in Indiana. 

As a result, it was named Santa Claus instead. It’s the home of a decades-old tradition of responding to letters sent to Santa. 

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Last year, nearly 25,000 letters arrived — and this year, volunteers expect even more.

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Santa Claus, Indiana, may be small, but it has a big holiday spirit. The town’s post office has been receiving letters addressed to Santa for nearly a century. 

A child’s letter to Santa is preserved at the Santa Claus Museum in Indiana. (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

For years, volunteers have answered those letters, ensuring each child receives a personalized response.

The post office is one of the oldest buildings in the town, dating back to 1856. 

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Pat Koch, the town’s “Chief Elf” at the Santa Claus Museum and Village, has been involved in the effort since she was only 12 years old, she told Fox News. 

“When my father came back from the Navy, from World War I, he went to the post office to visit the postmaster in Santa Claus, and found that he was just inundated with mail and letters from children,” Koch said.

Pat Koch or “Chief Elf,” at right, shares the ins and outs of how to respond to letters sent to Santa from across the world.  (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

Today, the effort is a team effort, with “elves” helping to sort, read and reply to thousands of letters. 

The original post office is still at the heart of this process.

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Letters are answered in the building’s backroom, a space where the magic of Santa is kept alive year-round.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful that children still believe, because of all the social media, TV, movies and all that,” said Koch.

A volunteer at the Santa Claus Museum in Indiana replies to a child’s heartfelt letter to Santa. (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

The Santa Claus Museum showcases letters dating back to the 1930s, with some written by children from across the world. 

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Many letters are filled with joy — but some reflect deeper, more difficult situations.

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“We do get many sad letters. I can say last week I think it was a child who was mature said, ‘I hope my mom gets drug tested.’ That’s really sad. And all we can say is ‘Santa is hoping your mother gets better,’” Koch said. 

She said answering every letter is important to spread Christmas cheer to kids in all situations.

A welcome sign in Santa Claus, Indiana, “America’s Christmas Hometown.” (Olivianna Calmes)

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The elves at the Santa Claus Museum and Village can receive letters to Santa any time of the year at this address: 

Santa Claus 
P.O. Box 1 
Santa Claus, IN 47579

The town itself features Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari (formerly called Santa Claus Land), which is said to be one of the world’s first amusement parks. 

      

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It also features Christmas-themed shops, restaurants, even a grocery store that embraces the festive atmosphere year-round. 

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Midwest

‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ

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‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ

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Five alleged members and associates of the “Family Mob” street gang have been charged in a major fentanyl trafficking case in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Three indictments and two criminal complaints were unsealed in the District of Minnesota accusing the defendants of distributing fentanyl, crack cocaine and other controlled substances in south Minneapolis.

Authorities allege the group collectively possessed with intent to distribute more than seven kilograms of fentanyl since July 2025 and operated a de facto open-air drug market near Lake Street and Park Avenue, using force to push out other dealers.

Those charged include Silk Lamond Davis, 48, of Minneapolis; Alexisus Jarmon Mosby, 44, of Bloomington; Kiron Jamoll Williams, 43, of Minneapolis; Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, 44, of Minneapolis; and Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, 38, of St. Paul.

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Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)

The charges range from possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine to distribution of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Law enforcement agencies executed multiple arrest and search warrants Wednesday morning targeting the gang and its members, officials said. 

If convicted, the defendants face penalties of up to life in prison on the most serious drug trafficking charges.

FBI BUSTS LATIN KINGS GANG NATIONWIDE, NEARLY 50 ARRESTED IN SWEEPING CRACKDOWN

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Federal and local law enforcement announced that they seized 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (KMSP)

“Our investigation shows that combined, those charged were responsible for the distribution of enough fentanyl for more than 3.5 million lethal doses in the last seven months,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen at a press briefing.

He told reporters that seven others were also taken into custody on related state charges, bringing the total number arrested to 12.

Rick Evanchec, interim special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office, said the coordinated operation to dismantle the “Family Mob” gang involved a sweeping, multi-agency effort across the metropolitan area.

Before dawn, eight SWAT teams and law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed 14 search warrants targeting narcotics, firearms and other evidence tied to the alleged criminal enterprise.

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Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)

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Evanchec said the gang has operated since the 1990s, distributing narcotics and using violence to control territory in Minneapolis neighborhoods.

“The Family Mob Gang ruled by intimidation and violence, and wrongly assumed they could operate with impunity,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said in a statement. “Today, the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement imparted a significant blow to the drug trafficking efforts of a gang that has spread poison through a beloved Minneapolis community.”

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Detroit, MI

Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes

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Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes


RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to extend their point streak to a dozen games on Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.

When: Saturday, February 28

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

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Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Canes Record: 37-15-6 (80 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 5-4 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Feb. 26

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Red Wings Record: 34-19-6 (74 Points, T-2nd – Atlantic Division)

Red Wings Last Game: 2-1 Win (OT) over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Feb. 26



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Milwaukee, WI

Landmark Credit Union Live officially opens in Milwaukee

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Landmark Credit Union Live officially opens in Milwaukee


Landmark Credit Union Live, Milwaukee’s newest concert venue, opened its doors on Friday. And with the Bucks playing next door at the same time, the whole area was hopping.

What they’re saying:

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Fans flocked to Fiserv Forum to watch the team play the New York Knicks, and music lovers stood in line to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise on the opening night of Landmark Credit Union Live.

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“Very busy, very crowded the bars and restaurants,” said Ashley Evans. “That’d be great to add to the city again, to continue to bring more tourists out.”

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“This is going to be amazing. I’ve been wanting to see them for a very long time, so I’m very excited,” said Rachel Lococo.

Fans line up for the official opening of Landmark Credit Union Live

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Landmark Credit Union Live can host up to 4,500 people. Friday night’s show was sold out, drawing fans from places like Chicago, Minnesota, Iowa and elsewhere.

“Some people have driven from Indiana, so there’s a lot of people coming out tonight,” said Kade McCane, who came from Madison. “Honestly, really exciting to be among the first people who get to be there, and for RKS to be among the first people who will ever perform here, I hope this venue gets huge and big and becomes very popular.” 

The excitement was felt all around Milwaukee. Even the competition rolled out the welcome mat.

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“Our goal to grow as a city means that a lot of things have to happen. This is the very, tiny, small work that has to happen,” said Gary Witt, president and CEO of The Pabst Theater Group, which runs six nearby venues.

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“The introduction of any new business in the city, especially one that pays attention to the fact that we have spent 24 years growing the live culture economy in the city of Milwaukee, says to me that we’ve done our job.” 

Witt said live entertainment is an industry Milwaukee’s economy has been dependent on coming from visitors like those who turned out Friday.

The Source: FOX6 News interviewed the people in this story and referenced prior coverage related to the opening of Landmark Credit Union Live.

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