Morning Headlines - Monday, July 7, 2025

Start your day informed with today’s must-read headlines from around Wisconsin and the world. And don’t forget to check out our Meme of the Day at the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Medicaid Cuts Could Define Midterms

Medicaid is set to become a key issue in the battle over control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections now that President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” has passed.

Congress passed the largest Medicaid cuts in the program’s 60-year history through the GOP’s megabill right before the July 4th holiday, a $1 trillion reduction that’s projected to push more than 12 million low-income individuals off their health insurance over the next decade.

Republicans argue the moves are necessary to address waste and fraud in the program, ensuring that “able-bodied” adults aren’t taking advantage of the system.

At Least 81 Dead And Dozens Missing In Texas Floods As More Rain Looms

At least 81 people have been confirmed dead and another 41 are missing following flash floods in central Texas on Friday.

Most of the fatalities were in Kerr County, where a riverside Christian girls' camp was deluged, claiming the lives of a number of children and leaving others missing.

Other areas to record deaths include Travis County, Burnet County, Williamson County, Kendall County and Tom Green County.

Australian Erin Patterson Convicted In Poison Mushrooms Triple Murder Case

Australian Erin Patterson was found guilty Monday of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives by deliberately serving them poisonous mushrooms for lunch.

The jury in the Supreme Court trial in Victoria state returned a verdict after six days of deliberations, following a nine-week trial that gripped Australia. Patterson faces life in prison and will be sentenced later, but a date for the hearing hasn't been scheduled.

Patterson, who sat in the dock between two prison officers, showed no emotion but blinked rapidly as the verdicts were read.

Rep. Mark Green Resigns From Congress, Leaving Speaker Johnson With An Even Narrower Republican Majority In The House

Rep. Mark Green, R- Tenn., announced his official resignation from Congress after voting for President Donald Trump’s megabill.

He said he was starting a new business, but did not disclose specifics.

His resignation could further shrink Republicans’ majority in the U.S. House, at least temporarily.

A Video Game On 'Gold Diggers' Is Fuelling A Sexism Debate In China

"He's more obedient than a dog... If only more of these dumb ones come along," boasts a woman in a new video game that has fuelled a debate on sexism in China.

The players in the live-action Revenge on Gold Diggers are male protagonists lured into relationships by manipulative women who are after their money - how the man responds shapes the rest of the story.

It topped the gaming platform Steam's sales list within hours of its release in June but controversy quickly followed. Some slammed it for reinforcing insulting gender stereotypes, while supporters say the game cautions people about love scams.

So heated was the criticism that the game's creators quietly renamed it Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator the next day.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Bill Aims To Discourage Governments From Delaying The Release Of Public Records

A Wisconsin bill could discourage government agencies from delaying the release of public records.

Sponsors say their aim is to encourage transparency by making it easier for groups to win back legal fees after suing over government records.

“Open records requests can lead to the discovery of waste, fraud and abuse,” said bill author state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, during a Senate hearing this spring. “Unfortunately, some governments and government officials try to run out the clock on open records requests.”

Wisconsin Tibetan Association Celebrate The Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday

On Sunday, hundreds of Tibetans from across the United States and Canada gathered at Deer Park Buddhist Center in Oregon to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama.

Hosted by the Deer Park Buddhist Center and the Wisconsin Tibetan Association, the celebration began at 9 a.m. with a prayer session inside the temple, followed by welcoming speeches and traditional song and dance in the yard.

DHS Celebrates 15th Anniversary Of Wisconsin's Smoke-Free Indoor Air Law

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the state's smoke-free indoor air law, which took effect on July 5, 2010.

The law has been pivotal in protecting residents from secondhand smoke and supporting prevention efforts.

"Whether working a shift at a local restaurant or heading out with family for a Friday fish fry, Wisconsinites and visitors to our state can rest easy knowing they won't be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places," said Paula Tran, State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator.

Rib Mountain Man Kayaks Wisconsin River In Record Time

This spring, Andy Nevitt paddled down the entirety of the Wisconsin River faster than anyone on record, in just 3 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes.

Nevitt, a nurse anesthetist from Rib Mountain, beat the previous record by just under six hours. And throughout the entire journey, he slept for only about five hours.

“This is easily the hardest I’ve pushed myself through a race,” Nevitt said.

Wisconsin Commit Hayden Jones Shines In FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup

Wisconsin men’s basketball commit Hayden Jones scored 21 points in New Zealand’s loss to Slovenia in the third-place game of the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

He led all scorers and collected seven rebounds in the loss. However, the result is New Zealand’s best ever at the tournament. Jones led New Zealand to the same result in the FIBA U17 World Cup as well, the highest by a New Zealand national team since 2002, averaging 11.6 points and 2.7 assists.