STURGEON BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) -- It's a sign of the season. A huge freighter, about three football fields long.

With shipping on the Great Lakes winding down, many big boats are heading into ports like Sturgeon Bay.

With a frigid haze just above the surface, The Stewart J. Cort crept its way out of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal and toward the Bayview Bridge Tuesday morning.

"Come to see the big 1000-footer come through the channel. It's something you don't get to see every day. It drew a lot of people, even as cold as it is," said Paul Haynes, Sturgeon Bay.

"It was so impressive. It just came out of the fog. Now, I haven't seen it go through the bridge yet, so this is all new. I'm excited," said Sue Pierce, Bullhead City, Arizona.

The 100-foot long tugboat William C. Gaynor pushed chunks of ice out of the way.

"It's the ice. The ice builds up, and the tugs got to go around and flush the ice. So they can turn the stern, so they can line up," said Bob Osborne, Sturgeon Bay.

The Cort was heading toward Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. The vessel is due for its five-year inspection, some maintenance, and a fresh coat of paint. But first, the 1000-footer had to make it through not one, but two bridges.

"And then at one point, they're under two bridges at one time. So the captains are something. The way they maneuver these ships, it's incredible," said Haynes.

In about 20 minutes, the Cort was safely through.

"These captains, they don't call for pilots or tugboats unless they absolutely have to do so. So, these guys earn their money in this," said Haynes.

And not far away, the 768-foot long freighter, John G. Munson chugged its way through the channel, followed by the 767-foot Cason J. Calloway.

"They're gorgeous. They're absolutely gorgeous. It's a part of Sturgeon Bay. So how could you not love it?" asked Laurie Chapman, Sturgeon Bay.

The vessels will be among 14 ships in port as part of Sturgeon Bay's winter fleet.

The shipping season typically reopens in late March, but that depends on the weather.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - For the third time in 24 hours, there was a major crash on one Brown County interstate on Tuesday afternoon.

All lanes of I-41 southbound at Scheuring Road near De Pere were closed for about an hour.

Injuries were reported but no word on their severity.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - As the state looks to implement changes made in the most recent budget regarding the teacher licensing process, such as allowing educators to obtain permanent licenses, it's also looking at making other adjustments.

The Department of Public Instruction is traveling the state to get feedback on the latest plans. The first stop was at St. Norbert College in De Pere Tuesday.

"Our schools are trying to deal with shortages of teachers, especially in special education and some of the more technical areas," said David DeGuire the Director of Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing for DPI.

DeGuire told FOX 11 News some of the proposed changes will be simple to make, like clarifying the language of certain rules.

"It just makes things easier to understand and easier to navigate our system," he told us, while saying other changes will be more difficult.

For example there are seven different science teaching licenses for the different fields like biology and chemistry. DeGuire says the proposal is to condense them all into one science license. The same would be done with other subjects.

"That's especially going to be helpful to rural districts who may only have one person as the science teacher and right now that person would have to be license in all the different areas," he explained.

However, some teachers said at Tuesday's hearing that change would leave teachers ill-prepared in certain subjects.

"What happens when our children don't succeed if we don't have high standards for the people teaching them? So I'm concerned that we may not have thought about the long-term ramifications of this," warned Randy Soquet.

While others in the field said there needs to be more leeway for teachers coming into the field from a non-traditional route, like those who didn't get a four-year degree in education.

"I'm asking for flexibility in the clinical programming and the required amount of time for experience consideration as we move these teachers through alternative programs, which, again, I believe are rigorous and provide absolutely fabulous teachers," said Fran Renn-Malcheksi who works for the Cooperative Education Service Agency (CESA) 7.

DeGuire says DPI is attempting to walk this very line.

"We're trying to balance giving districts more flexibility while still maintaining high-quality teachers in our classrooms," he explained.

There are four more hearings in other parts of the state:

January 17, 2:30 to 4 p.m. DPI Headquarters, GEF 3, Room P41, 125 South Webster Street, Madison;

January 19, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Milwaukee Public Schools, Auditorium, 5225 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee;

January 25, 3 to 5 p.m. CESA 10, Conference Center, 725 West Park Avenue, Chippewa Falls; and

January 29, 4 to 6 p.m. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Centennial Hall, 3212 Centennial Hall, La Crosse.

DPI told FOX 11 its recommendations will eventually go to several legislative committees.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A smart phone app is looking to help folks navigating through all the illnesses that winter can bring.

The Sickweather app's Dave Switzer says it's the world's first real-time map of human health.

"It pulls information from various social media sources and crowdsourcing information that tells people what's going on in terms of illness."

Switzer notes the app also allows user to manager their specific condition.

"That will actually help track, from the thermometers that you can connect with your phone, your health and how you're doing in terms of what your temperature has been over certain periods of time."

While the app is free, Switzer says there is a feature that's available for a varying cost.  

"You can call a doctor to be connected with somebody who is a professional in that regard." 

Switzer says "flu, the common cold, and fever are big around the Green Bay/Appleton area" right now.

He notes the app is available in both the Apple and Google stores.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Ashwaubenon Public Safety officer who was struck by a vehicle while responding to a fire along Interstate 41 has returned to full service.

Officer Brian Murphy has spent the last few months doing light duty, following the July incident and having been released from the hospital in August.

Chief Eric Dunning says "Officer Murphy's drive to live, get better, and stay in pursuit of being a part of Public Safety is a testament to all of us.  We're so glad to have him back."

The 29-year-old Greenleaf woman accused of drunkenly striking Murphy is due back in court for a status hearing next week.

TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - A Two Rivers restaurant has been burglarized. 

Officers responded to Paradise Foods, 1210 Washington Street, around 9 am Tuesday, with the incident having happened sometime between 7 pm Monday and then. 

Computers and other items were missing, with other equipment having been damaged. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Two Rivers Police at (920) 793-1191.

LEDGEVIEW, WI (WTAQ) - A junked vehicle is not a lawn decoration.

That according to a state appeals court, which has ruled against a Ledgeview man who wanted to keep a van in his yard.

John Knaus argued that the red, white, and blue paint job shows his First Amendment right of 'patriotic expression.'

Knaus had been cited by the town for violating an ordinance that prohibits keeping abandoned, junked, or hazardous vehicles on one's property.

The court says there is no reason to believe Knaus was singled out by the municipality, noting 'government may impose regulations on time, place, and manner of free speech if they are content neutral, narrowly-tailored in service of a legitimate governmental interest, and do not foreclose all avenues of speech.'

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers have promoted Ed Policy to chief operating officer and general counsel, President/CEO Mark Murphy announced today.

 “I’m pleased to promote Ed to this new position,” Murphy said. “He’s been an outstanding leader for us and has shown tremendous growth in recent years. His work on Titletown has been excellent, and will be invaluable to the organization and community for years to come. I’m confident that Ed will excel in this new role and the structure will benefit the organization.”

 Policy, who is beginning his seventh season with the Packers, will take on a greater role in overseeing the business operations of the organization, including sales, marketing and human resources, in addition to his current responsibilities. He also represents the team at the NFL level on legal and compliance matters.

 “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to serve the Packers in this role,” said Policy. “With recent expansion and renovations at Lambeau Field and the planning and opening of Titletown, we have grown in so many ways that are enhancing the organization and community. I’m looking forward to continuing to help the Packers make a positive impact on our own operations as well complement the promising economic development in our area.”

 In leading the organization’s development of Titletown, the nearly 45-acre mixed-use real estate development immediately west of Lambeau Field, Policy is maximizing its unique location to attract visitors, spur regional economic growth and offer amenities to residents. Titletown also complements the greater Green Bay area’s draw as an excellent location to live, work, play and visit on a year-round basis. Planning continues on phase two of the development after a successful opening of phase one, which includes a vibrant park with an ice rink and tubing on Ariens Hill, as well as tenant partners Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery and the award-winning Lodge Kohler hotel.

 Additionally, the TitletownTech partnership with Microsoft will usher in enhanced economic expansion in Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond by bringing a startup accelerator, innovation lab and venture capital fund in a state-of-the-art workspace in Titletown.

 Policy, who joined the Packers Aug. 1, 2012, has an extensive background which includes work in professional football with the Arena Football League and NFL, and broad legal experience with litigation, sports labor relations, sports facility construction and commercial real estate.

 His professional sports experience includes nine years (2001-09) with the Arena Football League, including a period (2008-09) in which he served as commissioner, president and CEO. He also served as deputy commissioner and president (2006-08), chief operating officer (2004-06) and executive vice president – strategic league development and legal affairs (2001-04). During his tenure with the league, he oversaw all business and operations of the AFL, including strategic development, legal affairs, sales, finance, marketing, broadcasting, digital media, football operations, labor relations, events and human resources.

 Policy also served as an executive consultant with the NFL (2009-10), a position in which he advised and assisted NFL senior management in strategic and development matters and also worked with senior executives on special projects within various business areas.

 A Midwestern native, Policy was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting with an emphasis in finance from the University of Notre Dame in 1993 and a law degree from Stanford University in 1996. In the Green Bay community, he serves on the board of directors of the Brown County United Way, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Green Bay YMCA, as well as on the community leadership council of Achieve Brown County.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ)- A Fond Du Lac man was sentenced for a 2016 Fentanyl overdose death of a woman.

42-year-old Joshua Asencio was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision in court Wednesday.

Emergency response was needed for a woman who was unconscious and not breathing inside an apartment.

That woman was identifed as Angela Cowling, and court records show that Asencio told police that he knew her as someone who abused prescription medications in the past, and planned to buy some heroin.

Police reports indicate that Asencio contacted 911 when he heard Cowling collapse in the bathroom.

Detectives indicated that they located a chewing tobacco canister that tested postive for Asencio's DNA. 

Investigators say the residue inside the canister showed that Fentanyl and 6-Monoactylmorphine were present inside the canister.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ)- A man accused of initiating a 2015 standoff that led to officers shooting a hostage will proceed for the remainder of this court proceedings without a lawyer.

The motion filed by the attorney's of Brian Flatoff, was approved by a judge on Wednesday.

"I have objected to attorneys not submitting my evidence and motions, to withholding evidence" Flatoff said in court Wednesday. "Public defenders have hampered my defense and doing so, only helped the state prosecution create a prejudice and bias, assulting my right to a fair trial."

With the judges decision, Flatoff will represent himself the rest of the way.

"I am going to find that he does waive his right to be represented by cousel, and is making a deliberate choice today to proceed without a lawyer."

A two-week trial is scheduled to start March 5th, more than two years after the December 15th standoff at Eagle Nation Cycles in Neenah.

Flatoff faces 16 charges, including two counts of attempted homicide, for allegedly firing at police officers, and felony murder for allegedly initiating the sequence of events which led to Michael Funk’s death.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Ashwaubenon Public Safety officer who was struck by a vehicle while responding to a fire along Interstate 41 returned to full service Wednesday.

Officer Brian Murphy has spent the last few months doing light duty, following the July incident and having been released from the hospital in August.

"He was taking window complaints and doing paperwork, and then moved into other light duties" Ashwaubenon Public Safety Captain Jody Crocker said. "In the last few months he also started working as a paramedic and took fire calls also."

Crocker said his return included geting his squad car ready and signing on for duty, which was real emotional.

"I think it is a relief for all of us that he is actually back to work, considering the circumstance. It takes a whole lot for a person to go through what he did and actually be back on the job, and that says a lot about him right there."

Crocker said Officer Murphy's return completed a promise that he made to the department.

"When he got out of the hospital, he assured us that he will be back to work again someday."

Chief Eric Dunning says "Officer Murphy's drive to live, get better, and stay in pursuit of being a part of Public Safety is a testament to all of us.  We're so glad to have him back."

The 29-year-old Greenleaf woman accused of drunkenly striking Murphy is due back in court for a status hearing next week.

WEYAUWEGA, WI (WTAQ) - A Weyauwega was arrested on suspicion of child pornography, but may also be facing charges of making psychedelic mushrooms.

Police say they discovered the evidence while searching his home on High Street.

The Weyauwega Police Department says they received information from federal agencies and the New Zealand Digital Child Exploitation Team, and say that they received information that the man was posting images and videos of children on social media.

IRON MOUNTAIN, MI (WTAQ)- An Iron Mountain, Michigan woman was a contestant on Jeopardy Wednesday evening.

Librarian Amanda Griggs got the call to be on the show last year. She has been applying for years.

"I have always been a trivia buff when I was a kid. I did High School Bowl and I was always someone that did trivia night with my friends when I was in college.

Griggs said getting the oppertunity was the chance to cross something off her bucket list, but something she had to stay quiet about since October when they filmed her episode.

"Jeopardy was always the Mt. Everest, it is thee trivia show of the world. To get the call and get the chance to be on the show and meet Alex, it feels like Alice In Wonderland."

Griggs finished third, but had tough competition, facing a five day champion and the eventual new champion.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ)- A Brown County teen that has been missing since Saturday was found safe around 7:35 Wednesday evening. 

Brown County Sheriff's Department said 15-year old Kasey Vang is safe. 

The Sheriff's Department has been in contact with relatives who were able to reach out to Kasey, and assisted in getting her home.

Vang was turned over to the Brown County Sheriff's Department and the family has been notifed of her safe return.

No details on the circumstances of her disappearance were given.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- A contracted service employee of the Shawano School District was arrested Wednesday morning at Shawano High School.

Shawano High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz sent a voicemail message to all parents.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)- 

APPLETON (WLUK) -- If you are going to an event at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, you might want to allow more time to get to your seat.

The Fox Cities PAC is adding a security screening policy.

All bags and persons are subject to being searched upon entry.

Bags and purses larger than 8.5" x 11" x 5" will not be allowed but can be put in coat check.

• For more information on the PAC's security screening, click here

Officials say that while there haven't been any incidents within the PAC to cause this change, they want to prevent what has happened at other event centers from happening.

"It's a normal course of business to evaluate emergency response procedure. And as we we're doing that this past year, the entire industry was going through the exact same process," said PAC president, Maria Vanlaanen. "It's best to stay in line with what the industry best practice is and to make sure that we are evolving while the industry around us is."

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Doctors are warning of the dangers of a youtube challenge known as the Tide Pod Challenge.

Multiple youtube videos have surfaced of people of all ages, placing a Tide Pod detergent packet in their mouth, breaking it open, and having the liquid detergent in their mouth before spitting it out. 

Doctors are saying like many social media challenges, this one is dangerous and deadly.

"They have severe vomiting, burns to their mouth and esophagus, choking they have aspirated detergent into their lungs" said Pedeatric Doctor Sharon Rink of Theda Care. 

Dr. Rink says social media fads that are dangerous are not worth the risk and now they are finding something new to do with the Pods.  

"People have moved from trying to bite into a Tide Pod and now breaking it open and placing it in their e-cigarettes."  

Rink said people are no vaping with the detergent.  

Tide Pods first became a concern when young children were mistaking them for a colorful candy, trying to eat it.

Rink said that became dangerous fast.

"Two percent of them were admitted to critical care because they had such a bad reaction."  

Rink say parents who can't trust their kids should consider locking up the Pods or not buy them at all. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith is looking for answers when it comes to his officers response to a man who was recording video in and around the Green Bay Police Department Monday.

The nearly 13 minute video begins with two officers confronting a man who was videotaping the lobby of the police department, and ends with a forceful action and detainment by another member of the police department. 

Since the video has gone viral, Chief Andrew Smith has launched an internal investigation about the events caught on video. Smith said he has gotten quite a bit of feedback from the video.

Smith was not afraid to admit that the video requires a second look.

“Some things that I saw on that video initially don't look right,” said Smith.

Chief Smith gave a brief list of things that concern him.

“I think it's ok for a person to videotape in the lobby, certainly ok for our officers to go talk to them, but people are allowed to do that as long as they're not interfering,” said Smith. “I'd like to ask some questions about that.”

The man, who goes by the name of Scott Kosbab, was encounterd by Captain Brad Florence and Lt. Jeff Engelbrecht while inside the lobby. 

In the video, both officers tell the man that he can't video the lobby, and Captain Florence asks the man to leave, which he refuses to do.

Lt. Engelbrecht eventually tells him that it is okay for him to take pictures, as long as he does not interfere with operation and film those who wish not to be filmed, which Kosbab agrees to.

Chief Smith says he also is looking into the outside portion of video that shows the detainment by Lt. Jeff Brester.

“I have to have some answers to why that person was detained, what the officers' perception was at the time, what this individual was doing that we don't see on camera,” said Smith.

Smith added that he will use the YouTube video, security footage and interviews to determine if the correct course of action was taken. He also said that the department is going through additional training on how to deal with situations like they encountered.

“But I think maybe we all need a little bit of a reminder about what is legal and what's not in respect to videotaping into a building and videotaping inside the lobby,” said Smith.

Smith says that training is already underway.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge is closing for most of the day Thursday. 

The bridge will be closed so that necessary maintenance can be performed. 

The Public Works Department says the bridge will be closed starting and 8:30 am and will be open again around 3:00 pm. 

Traffic will be detoured to Ashland Avenue, Mason Street and Monroe Avenue. 

Drivers will also be able to use the Walnut Street Bridge if they need to cross the Fox River.