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Consumers in US could face cold-cut crisis as virus ravages pig farms in Italy

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Consumers in US could face cold-cut crisis as virus ravages pig farms in Italy

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Consumers could soon be facing a culinary cataclysm: a cold-cut crisis.

Officials in Italy have slaughtered 90,000 pigs over the last two months as African swine fever sweeps over the European nation famed for its food culture, as well as an array of savory pork products that are popular across the United States. 

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Food industry insiders fear shortages of salami, mortadella and pancetta. The delicacies are found in almost every supermarket deli counter, sandwich shop and Italian restaurant in the U.S.

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“The spread of swine fever has reached alarming levels, putting at risk not just the health of the animals but of the entire pork sector,” Ettore Prandini, president of business trade group Confindustria, wrote in a recent letter to Italy’s minister of agriculture. 

The possible deli-counter devastation comes amid soaring food costs, a strike that disrupted commerce at U.S. ports and a massive recall by meat-maker Boar’s Head that forced it to end its liverwurst production. 

But it’s the overseas swine-fever assault on salty, savory, dry-cured prosciutto, an essential ingredient and flavor in Italian cuisine, that has chefs and restaurateurs sharpening their anxiety. 

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“Prosciutto has that ‘nyum-nyum’ factor. It’s got to have that ‘nyum-nyum’ factor,” Vito La Fata, co-owner of Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante in St. Louis, Missouri, told Fox News Digital.

The deep, rich flavor and silky texture of prosciutto crosses the palate like soothing warm oil. It tantalizes the taste buds — La Fata’s “nyum-nyum factor.”

“It’s the foundation of an Italian restaurant,” he said.

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Joe Isidori, chef-owner of Arthur & Sons, a popular red-sauce Italian restaurant in New York City, grew up in the third generation of a family of butchers and chefs.

Chef Joe Isidori of Arthur & Sons in New York City, center, fears swine fever in Italy could impact his menu in the U.S. At left, Ruliano prosciutto cures in Riano di Langhirano, Italy. At right, a woman savors prosciutto in Parma, Italy.  (David Silverman/Getty Images; Joe Isidori/Arthur & Sons; Edoardo Fornaciari/Getty Images)

He puts prosciutto on a pedestal, too.

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“Prosciutto is in our veins. It’s part of our DNA. I don’t know if we could live without it,” Isidori told Fox News Digital.

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Prosciutto and arugula pizza, one of the signature items at Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante in St. Louis, Missouri.  (Pat Imig/Imig Communications)

The threat to prosciutto has grown in recent weeks as swine fever swept down from its epicenter in the northern region of Lombardy and into neighboring Parma. 

The province of Parma is celebrated worldwide for Italy’s finest prosciutto.

Isidori is already cooking up plans for a worst-case scenario, noting that two of the most popular dishes at Arthur & Sons feature the traditional Italian ham.

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The stacked eggplant at Arthur & Sons pairs prosciutto with red peppers and buratta cheese. Smoked prosciutto enriches what Isidori calls “our world-famous” spicy rigatoni alla vodka.  

Prosciutto is one of the main ingredients in the signature stacked eggplant at Arthur & Sons in New York City. (Joe Isidori/Arthur & Sons)

“We’ll have to figure it out,” Isidori said, should Parma prosciutto grow scarce. “For our recipes, prosciutto is the king.”

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La Fata of Vito’s in St. Louis was raised in Sicily. But he’s already equipped to survive and thrive during the Italian-born cold-cut crisis. 

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He buys American.

“We support a local company,” La Fata said. “The prosciutto we use here, Volpi, is made here in St. Louis. It reminds me of the flavor we used to have back in Sicily. It’s great prosciutto. It also has the great advantage that it happens to be local, too.”

Volpi prosciutto has “got that nyum-nyum factor, just like the gold standard Parma prosciutto,” La Fata said.

Twelve countries, including China, Taiwan and Mexico, have banned the import of Italian pork delicacies, like prosciutto, because of swine fever in Italy, the AP reported. The U.S. is not among the 12. 

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Midwest

Teens’ viral prank targeting homeowners could have deadly consequences, police warn

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Teens’ viral prank targeting homeowners could have deadly consequences, police warn

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Kansas authorities are issuing a warning to both parents and homeowners regarding a “dangerous new TikTok trend” in which teenagers throughout the country are putting their lives at risk for the sake of social media fame.  

According to the Merriam Police Department, residents in the area have reported several instances of teens rushing up to the front of their homes and kicking the doors to appear as though someone is breaking in, as part of the “door kick challenge.”  

“We’ve received multiple reports about a reckless TikTok challenge called ‘The Door Kick Challenge,’” the department said in a Facebook post. “This trend encourages pounding and kicking on doors to mimic a home invasion.”

Since last weekend, four people in the local Georgetown apartment complex have made reports of teens partaking in the challenge, FOX 4 reported.

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Home surveillance video shared by the Merriam Police Department shows the moment two teens can be seen approaching the front door of a home. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

“They’re videotaping themselves going and attempting to kick open residential doors, presumably as a prank or to scare the homeowners,” Sgt. Kristin Jasinski said, according to the outlet.

Ring doorbell camera video released by the department shows a pair of teens approaching the front of a home, with one individual kicking the door while another stands with their cellphone out – presumably filming the act. 

“I know it can seem funny,” Jasinski said, FOX 4 reported. “However, people do take things seriously like that if they’re not aware of these things happening, or they’re unsure what your intentions are. We would hate for there to be real-life consequences.”

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In the video, the individual runs to the front door of the home and kicks it, mimicking a home invasion, before both teens run off. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

The trend is concerning law enforcement officials, who say the teens risk criminal charges – such as vandalism and trespassing – or homeowners may use force to act in self-defense. 

In addition to the video, the police department shared images from a separate incident in which a group of suspected teens broke the frame of a resident’s entryway. 

“There’s dangers on both sides of the door. Obviously, we want to keep the homeowners safe, as well as the people that are participating in these pranks,” Jasinski said.

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In a separate incident, a group of teens allegedly broke the frame of a homeowner’s front door while participating in the viral “door kick challenge,” according to the Merriam Police Department. (Merriam Police Department/Facebook)

“Our biggest concern is that someone would be injured in the course of thinking that this was a real home invasion.”

Bradley Cooper, a resident of Shawnee at Westbrooke Glen Apartment Homes, told FOX 4 a pair of teens also struck his friend’s door in the complex. 

“The other day he’s like, ‘I literally had my headset on, but I saw the door and could hear it through what I was playing, just straight move, just boom,’” Cooper said.

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The friend reportedly chased the teens down and ultimately caught up with one – who apologized. 

“If someone had a gun they could shoot through the door,” Cooper said. “Stop, it’s not fun, you’re going to get yourself probably killed.”

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However, authorities are urging homeowners to call the police if they believe they have fallen victim to the so-called “prank.” 

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“Don’t pursue these people,” Jasinski said. “There’s no way for us to know in real time, until we interact with them and figure out what’s happening, or what’s actually going on. We don’t want to put you or the people involved at greater risk, engaging in some sort of pursuit. So, just stay in the house, call police, let us do our job.”

The Merriam Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

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Detroit, MI

Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis

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Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis


Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.

Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.

“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”

Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.

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Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.

Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.

“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”

“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.

“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.

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Milwaukee, WI

Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89

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Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89


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Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.

Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city’s north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.

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During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.

Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as “always smiling and always caring.”

“He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.

Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.

A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.

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