MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The rapidly growing Mega Millions and Powerball Jackpot has lottery officials reflecting on its historic numbers.

The Mega Millions lottery is not simply giving one lucky person the opportunity to become a multi-millionaire, but a billionaire now that it has crossed the 1 billion dollar threshold.

Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin says the jackpot's growth has been amazing to watch.

"Over these past couple days the jackpot has risen substantially to get to 1 billion dollars," says Polzin.

"Substantially" might be putting it lightly. The jackpot has risen more than $300 million dollars just since Wednesday morning. 

You might be wondering, when was the last time the Mega Millions got to a billion dollar jackpot?

"This is the first time ever that Mega Millions has hit the billion dollar mark," explains Polzin. "So the excitement is pretty incredible."

Don't forget about the Powerball, though.

"It's the eighth largest Powerball," she says. "It certainly isn't a small amount of money at $470 million."

The important thing for potential players to remember is to get their tickets in time. For both the Powerball and Mega Millions, tickets need to be purchased one hour prior to the drawings to be eligible.

"The drawing takes place at 9:59 PM, but you have to purchase your ticket before 9 PM," explains Polzin.

The cash payout for tonight's Mega Millions is $565.6 million.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Fond du Lac area high school student has died in a hunting accident.

St. Mary's Springs Academy Administration says Junior Trent Schueffner passed away earlier Friday.

"It is with a heavy heart and great sadness to learn of the passing of junior Trent Schueffner during a tragic hunting accident earlier today. St. Mary's Springs Academy wishes to send our prayers and deepest sympathies to his family as well as our students, staff and Ledger community, as we mourn his loss and pray for his eternal rest.

School officials say Schueffner is a member of the Ledgers football team.

At the request of the family and his teammates, tonight's football game at 7:00 pm in Lomira will be played as scheduled. At the request of the students of SMSA, all are asked to wear "green" in his honor." - Mrs. Norton

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Country USA has released there 2019 lineup.

For the first time, the Country Music Festival is just three days instead of five, and it was announced that reserved seating has been eliminated, allowing for general admission to be closer to the stage.

Headliners include Alabama, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley.

Other acts include Neal McCoy, Trace Adkins, Cole Swindell, Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, John Michael Montgomery, Scotty McCreery, and Justin Moore.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A rare disease is causing paralysis across the country and some cases have sprung up in Wisconsin.

The disease is called Acute Flaccid Myelitis, or AFM, and is similar to polio. There have been 400 cases in the country since 2014, with 62 coming this year alone and 2 in Wisconsin.

"One of them is from the southern region and one is from the southeastern region," says Susann Ahrabi-Fard, with the Dept. of Health Services

She explains that's there's still a lot unknown.

"We don't always even get the cause from the majority of these diseases," she says. "It's challenging to even know about this disease because there's so many unanswered questions."

Ahrabi-Fard explains what some of the symptoms could include.

"Arms and legs may become weak and get weaker and weaker and they might have no movement," says Ahrabi-Ford.

Often times symptoms can start with a simple respiratory cold and progress into something much more serious, such as facial drooping.

Many of these cases are found in individuals 18-years-old or younger, which has parents concerned.

Linda Alger from Appleton had a cousin crippled by a similar disease in the 1950's. She thinks it's imperative that parents take steps to protect their children.

"Good hand washing is very helpful and parents should think about doing it for themselves and their children," she says.

Doctors agree that good hygiene is important to fight against contracting the virus and also add that getting a polio vaccination is a good idea.

Over 120 AFM cases are being investigated across the country, according to the Department of Health Services.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - It was reported on Friday that St. Norbert College has hired a third-party investigator to look into administrative mishandles of sexual assault.

Reverend Jay Fostner, the Vice President for Mission and Student Affairs and an assistant professor of psychology, is being investigated following a request to do so from hundreds of alumni.

St. Norbert College President Brian Bruess received a letter earlier this month signed by more than 300 alumni. The letter demanded a transparent investigation be launched into Fostner's conduct while at the university.

The letter stated: "There is a consistent pattern of covering up sexual misconduct, disregard for the Title IX process, and placing survivors under duress with the goal of silencing them."

2017 graduate Margaret Uselman posted on social media and outlined a series of incidents involving Fostner's handling of sexual assault reports.

“I think investigating what went on in the past is going to be a really important step because there isn't going to be any reconciliation until there is truth-telling,” she says.

University President Bruan Bruess provided a written statement.

“We’re reviewing this complaint consistent with the way we handle all complaints at the college and we take all complaints seriously and review them consistent with our college policies. This review was initiated out of an abundance of caution and with the full support of Fr. Jay," says Bruess in his statement.

Bruess said it was his decision to go through a third-party investigator and would not reveal who the investigator is.

Fostner will continue his normal duties at the school during the investigation, according to St. Norbert President Brian Bruess.

Fostner was placed on administrative leave earlier this year due to separate allegations of misconduct in the 1980's but was later cleared of those allegations.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey Trials are once again on the minds of people.

Many who watched the first Making A Murderer series on Netflix are very interested to see what information the second part of the series reveals.

With the official release Friday, the Manitowoc community has mixed feelings.

Mike is one that will be watching the series.

"To see what the appeals was and why they denied that boy getting out."

While many are interested in learning about the Brendan Dassey appeal processes, William says for him and others, the whole topic has gone away and people are moving on.

"I do know quite a few people who care, but then at the same time, I do know quite a few people who would just brush it off their shoulder and it would not have made a difference."

Denise says there is more she can learn about the case, and she still has questions.

"I was glad to hear it and I will be watching. About that little boy, I think he should have been let loose a long time ago. I don't know, something is wrong with that."

Many are still critical about those involved in the case. 

" I believe our justice system is corrupt," Mike of Manitowoc said. "It needs fixing and I don't like our justice system and I don't trust our justice system."

He says he does watch as well for entertainment purposes.

Both the Manitowoc Police Department and the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department are not commenting on the release of the series.

Many are expected to binge watch the Netflix series over the weekend.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Packers hit the bye week after a tough start to the season, but despite their record, they are still a darling to many, but it took a key matchup for that to happen.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Green Bay.

It happened shortly after 9 last night at the Brown County Jail.

No officers were injured.

Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith will hold a news conference later today with an update on the investigation and details of the shooting.

In accordance with State law, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations is investigating the shooting.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - It's a close encounter with a wild turkey on the streets of Ashwaubenon.

The bird has been spotted in the area for months, roaming the neighborhood on the village's west side.

The sightings have now gone viral, and the turkey even has its own Facebook page.

Standing about four feet tall, and weighing roughly 20 pounds, the turkey known locally as Smoke deliberately makes its way across the intersection of Morris Avenue and Hilltop Drive.

"Right now, it's just one. There used to be like seven or eight. But there's just one. And he's making it known here in Ashwaubenon," said Nanette Peters, Ashwaubenon.

Peters tells FOX 11 the turkey can be curious, checking out cars parked on the side of the road, but a bicyclist riding by can send the bird into chase mode.

"I just know it runs after people. And actually one of my neighbors, it always runs after his car when he goes to work.".

The bird can block traffic too.

Jim Keys tells FOX he was stopped right in the middle of the intersection.

"Try to get him out of the road, so nobody kills him. Madness, crazy. It's really hard to believe that they're in the city."

But the birds are in the village. And with sightings piling up, the turkey has gone viral. A Facebook page documents dozens of encounters with the bird.

He's known as "Smoked Turkey--Mayor of Ashwaubenon."

"The Mayor of Ashwaubenon. It's a good name. He acts like he owns it," said Peters.

During the commotion, an Ashwaubenon Public Safety officer arrived.

He coaxed the turkey to trail him, out of the intersection, and away from the neighborhood.

According to Ashwaubenon Public Safety, so far this year, there have been 15 animal calls that involve turkeys in the village.

TOWN OF SCOTT, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Sheriff's Office reporting one person was killed in a crash Saturday night.

It happened on STH 57 near Wequiock Road.

A 61-year-old Two Rivers man driving a PT Cruiser collided with a Jeep.

The Jeep then left the road, rolled over and started on fire.

The 61-year-old died at the scene.

A 59-year-old Green Bay man driving the Jeep was taken to the hospital for what's described as severe injuries.

Southbound lanes of STH 57 were closed for six and half hours.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - October means it is time for the Holiday spending to begin.

 According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending is second to Christmas.   

"They expect that $9 billion dollars will spent this Halloween season and that come out to an average of about $87.00 dollars per consumer."  

Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Wisconsin says candy, decorations, and costumes are all part of Halloween spending, but many are opting to rent costumes or are buying costumes at thrift stores, but says that comes with a reminder.  

"Make sure that all of the parts of the costume are there because you may have trouble returning it if it is not."  

She says costumes are where many are trying to save a little more money than past years.  

"See if you can save a little bit of money by renting costumes, see if you can reuse some of the items around your house and ask your neighbors."  

The Better Business Bureau says you may find an old costume you can re-purpose or Halloween decorations you can put out. Doing this will not only help you save money, but you won’t end up with more than you need.

Bach says it is important to ask about return policies for Halloween items especially in cases of seasonal stores that close right before Halloween.

"They are kind of here today, gone tomorrow, so if you are trying to return some merchandise, you may have trouble finding them later."

She says in most cases, seasonal stores will have a return date deadline that will be prior to Halloween in order to prevent people from buying items for use on Halloween and then returning it, which she says is fraudulent behavior.  

You should also find out how long you must keep your receipt, or what happens if you should lose your receipt.   

The Better Business Bureau also offers some tips for online shopping for Halloween items.  

When shopping from an online website, the first step is to make sure the URL starts with “https” and includes a lock symbol. The "S" in “https” stands for secure. Look up the website’s privacy policy and contact information. If it is not clearly listed, or they only have an email as the point of contact, take that as a big red flag and shop elsewhere.

Also, be sure to use your credit card instead of your debit card, as credit cards not only provide additional protection, but it’s also easier to dispute a fraudulent charge.

Shopping for Halloween should be fun, not terrifying.     

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ)  - A Shawano Man has received a great honor for his skills and leadership in plumbing in order to help those in need.

Randy Lorge has been named the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials 2018 Industry Person of the Year for his efforts in leading the Community Plumbing Challenge.  

"It was rather surprising, I was kind of taken back," Lorge said.  

While Lorge teaches and trains current and future plumbers, much of his work is done outside of Wisconsin.  

"We travel to different parts of the world, providing clean water and sanitation systems and just improving lives of people around the world."  

He says through these challenges, they are able to do what they do best, to help make a long-lasting impact for others.  

"What we do in these jobs is nothing different than what we do back home, but to go to these countries and see that they don't have some of these basics, it is breathtaking to the conditions that these folks live in."  

Currently, Lorge and his team are in New Mexico, participating in the Navajo Nation Community Plumbing Challenge, providing households with access to clean water and improved sanitation.  

"The challenge will be getting safe water to the residents of the homes that we will be working on," Lorge said. "We are going to be working on somewhere between 10 and 20 homes. They are completely off the grid, so we are going to be installing a freshwater tank along with plumbing fixtures and pumps."  

Lorge added the work does not stop once the plumbing is put in place.  

"We don't just close up the toolbox and go home. We do training with the local residents that are there so they can start their own training programs."  

Lorge is a member of UA 400 Pipes Trades in Kaukauna, and in recent years has done work in India, South Africa, and Indonesia.  

"Just simple things like putting in new toilets, new sinks and places for them to wash their hands."  

Lorge says sometimes the material they have to use are not up to the standards of material in the USA, and in some cases, the tools that they have to use are not the most effective.  

"Sometimes it is basically a hammer and a chisel."  

Lorge received the honor at the group’s 89th Annual Education and Business Conference on October 4th in Philadelphia.  

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - As we move closer to the mid-term elections on November 6, it's important to make sure you're prepared to get registered first.

Kami Lynch, the Appleton City Clerk, joined the WTAQ Morning News with Matt and Earl to discuss an array of topics about voting in the upcoming midterm election.  

Online registration and registration by mail is now closed, but she says a quick car trip can still get the job done.

"If people still need to register they can go in person to their municipal clerk office and they just need to fill out the registration form," says Lynch.

It will be important to bring the right paperwork with if registering at the municipal clerk's office, though.

"They will need to bring a proof of residence document with them that shows their name and their address where they're registering," explains Lynch.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find one of the valid options laying around at home.

"That could be things like a bank statement," she says. "A utility bill, those are the usual ones that are used."

For those wanting to register prior to election day, it will be important to keep in mind that the deadline is fast approaching.

"The deadline to register for the election is the Friday before the election," says Lynch. "So that would be November 2."

For those looking to request an absentee ballot, that deadline comes even quicker.

"The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, November 1 and that's by mail," explains Lynch. "In order to do that we do need a request in writing."

Individuals interested in absentee voting can find information and request a ballot here.

Of course, voters will still have an opportunity to register on election day.

Lastly, Lynch mentioned that there are measures in place to accommodate individuals at the polls that might lack mobility.

"At any polling place, there's always the option for an individual to vote curbside," she says. "Two election inspectors will come out with that page of the poll book, a ballot, and take care of everything from that person's vehicle."

And just how big is this midterm election? Lynch says there are plenty of offices up for grabs next month.

"There's, of course, the Governor's race," she says. "As well as other state offices, like Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer."

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - To wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness month, survivors and their loved ones came together Sunday in Green Bay to Make Strides Against Breast Cancer.

The fight against breast cancer is something that cannot be won alone, but with the support of friends and family, survivors like Kay Kent tell FOX 11 it's possible.

"It certainly did change my life. When you hear you have cancer, you think wow this is it. But through events like this and through the support of people, you realize it's not and there's a lot of hope."

Kent has been cancer free for almost a decade and participates in the Strides for Breast Cancer Walk every year with her friend Karen McDonald, who has also been a survivor for the last five years.

"It's very scary, especially when you find out you have to go through the whole treatment with chemo and everything. But the best words that were ever given to me were from my surgeon, she said this is just what you have to do to be cured. I'm only a survivor of five years but I saw a lady who had a sticker that said 34 years. That's awesome and great to see and gives all of us hope.

Finding a cure for a disease that affects about 1 in 8 women in the United States is why Shannon Gille, from the American Cancer Society, says so many people are donating to support this cause.

"It goes to research, development, we do a lot of prevention and education so we really encourage people to get their screenings."

Kent said raising awareness and funding for the disease is the only way to beat it and save the life of those diagnosed.

The goal is to raise $145,000 from people in the Green Bay area.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Door County drug bust has resulted in more than 40 grams of methamphetamine being seized and three individuals being arrested.

A search warrant was executed at a residence in Sturgeon Bay on Thursday, according to deputies.

Charges for delivering methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, delivering marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony bail jumping were referred to the Door County District Attorney’s Office. 

WAUSAU, WI (WTAQ) - A babysitter from Wausau has been arrested and is being accused in connection to an infants death.

Police say they were called to Northway Coin Laundry on Thursday around 9:45 PM after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant.

The baby was pronounced dead at the scene and preliminary information has led investigators to believe that the child was killed while in the care of 28-year-old Marissa Tietsort.

She will be in court on Monday for child abuse charges from a separate incident on August 2, 2018.

Details on the previous incident have not been released.

An autopsy was performed on the infant Friday in Madison and police are reporting the that the boy's death is being investigated as a homicide, based on preliminary results.

Authorities have stated that charges are expected to be filed in this incident after the autopsy is completed.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Brewers are looking to the future after falling one game short of the World Series.

We all know it....Milwaukee suffers a disappointing 5-1 loss Saturday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series.

Play by Play voice of the Brewers, Jeff Levering, a guest on WTAQ's Morning News, says the future for the Crew looks bright.

"Taken a step in the right direction and there's nothing but positive signs for this team moving forward."

He says by the time the game Saturday night had moved into the 7th inning the Brewers were down 5-1 and the vibe at Miller Park was more subdued.

But Levering believes within a few days the disappointment will wear off and fans will latch on to the 2018 success.

"You look back at what a great season it was and how much progress the team made, the franchise made, you can't really go back and look at and have too much wrong with it."

Maybe some moves will be made at catcher and 2nd base....but Levering is very excited about the pitching staff.

"The wealth of arms that you have at your disposal is going to be great."

The Dodgers will take on the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

And if you're keeping track... The Brewers open 2019 at Miller Park, March 28th against the St Louis Cardinals.

Click Here for the entire interview.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - A fire in Howard on Sunday has resulted in both a single-family home and a garage being determined a total loss.

Crews were called to the 4500 block of Shawano Avenue around 3:30 PM and once they arrived flames started to spread from the garage to the home.

The sole occupant of the home safely escaped, but a pet cat may not have made it out.

Fighting the flames and minimizing damage became difficult due to strong winds and the type of home construction.

It took several hours for crews to vanquish the fire and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the flames. 

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - A hearing was held on Monday for the cases against three people being charged in the presumed murder of a Green Bay man at a Milwaukee Park.

The three individuals are set to return to court next month.

A fourth suspect remains at large and has not appeared in court yet for the death of Jovanny Puga, whose body has never been found. 

Charges were filed just last month following Puga's disappearance in February 2017.

19-year-old Brandan Guyton-Denn of Green Bay, 19-year-old Shawn Leitner of Manitowoc, and 19-year-old Jaleel Schultz of Milwaukee are being charged with first-degree reckless homicide and party to a crime. 19-year-old Emma Brud of De Pere is being charged with aiding a felon. 

All three have entered not guilty pleas.

Guyton-Denn's attorney withdrew from the case at Monday's hearing and a status conference is set for November 8. 

The attorneys for Brud and Leitner asked for more time to review evidence in the case at Monday's hearing and court records show they also will return to court on November 8 for scheduling conferences.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A trial date was set for a former prison worker in Oshkosh who is accused of having sex with an inmate and sending him nude photos.

38-year-old April Paulson is being charged with second-degree sexual assault by a correctional staff member, and two counts of delivering illegal articles to an inmate.

Court records show that the trial was set for Tuesday, but the defense requested it be delayed and it has now been set for January 8.

Prison security and Oshkosh Police began an investigation on May 11 after receiving a tip, which is about a month after Paulson started working at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Both the inmate and Paulson worked in the kitchen, according to the criminal complaint.

Paulson is no longer employed at the prison, according to the state Department of Corrections.