Morning Headlines - Friday, June 6, 2025 | Recent News

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

Trump And Elon Musk Trade Insults And Accusations As Public Feud Reaches New Heights

The relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk broke down in dramatic and public fashion on Thursday, with the president threatening to cancel Musk's lucrative government contracts and Musk claiming that Mr. Trump could not have won the presidency without him, fueling a feud that erupted over Musk's opposition to Republicans' tax and budget bill.

In the afternoon, Musk dropped what he called "the really big bomb," alleging that Mr. Trump's name appeared in the files related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while facing charges of sex trafficking. "@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public," Musk wrote on X. "Have a nice day, DJT!"

7 Senators To Watch As Republicans Make Changes To Trump's Big Bill

As Senate Republican leaders push to a massive bill for President Donald Trump’s agenda by July 4, they are juggling a host of competing demands.

Some senators are genuine threats to vote against the legislation, while others are expected to support it in the end after using their demands to shape it. Several of them have complicated political considerations. The Republicans who are speaking out most loudly point to a variety of ways the House-passed bill may change in the Senate, as party leaders seek to ease enough of their concerns.

With all Democrats expected to vote against the package, Republicans will need at least 50 votes to pass it, as Vice President JD Vance could break a tie.

Here are seven key senators to watch.

Three Killed In 'Massive' Russian Strikes Across Ukraine, Zelensky Says

Russia launched large-scale drone and missile strikes on Ukraine's capital and other parts of the country early on Friday, officials said. At least three people were killed and 49 injured in the strikes, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The aerial raids targeted Kyiv, as well as the city of Lutsk and the Ternopil region in the north-west of the country. Russia's defence ministry said the strikes were in response to "terrorist acts by the Kyiv regime", adding that it had targeted military sites.

American Tennis Star Coco Gauff Reaches French Open Final

Coco Gauff will get a second chance to win the French Open this weekend.

Gauff, 21, defeated Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals Thursday, propelling her to the second French Open final of her career so far.

The American tennis star, ranked No. 2 at Roland Garros, will face the No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final on Saturday in Paris.

Veteran QB Aaron Rodgers Agrees To 1-Year Deal With Steelers

Four-time MVP quarterbacks come to those who wait.

And wait. And wait.

Aaron Rodgers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced on Thursday, ending months of uncertainty around his future and uniting the future Hall of Famer with a club that desperately needs a quarterback.

The Steelers said the contract is pending a physical.

Wisconsin State Senators Introduce Bill Pushing For Healthcare Price Transparency

Wisconsin state senators introduced legislation focused on healthcare price transparency on Thursday.

During a press conference, Senator Julian Bradley, Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Robert Wittke introduced the Price Transparency for Patients Act.

The legislation sets standards for hospital pricing so that hospitals have clear requirements to share pricing with patients. It would also require hospitals to publish clear and accessible information online for customers to find.

Wisconsin's 2025 Budget Negotiations Stall — How Could A Breakdown Affect The State's 2026 Race For Governor?

A breakdown in negotiations over a tax cut and other spending measures in Wisconsin threatens to put the 2026 race for governor on hold, with the Democratic incumbent saying he won’t announce his decision on seeking a third term in the swing state until after a budget deal is done.

Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who control the Legislature have been meeting in private since April trying to hammer out a deal ahead of the July 1 deadline. But those talks broke down late on June 4 when Republicans walked away, both sides said.

Wisconsin Elections Chair Says US DOJ Is Mistaken Over Threat To Withhold Federal Funds

The chair of Wisconsin’s Election Commission says the U.S. Department of Justice is mistaken after federal officials accused the state agency of breaking a federal election law.

In a letter this week, the U.S. Department of Justice said the Wisconsin Elections Commission is violating the federal Help America Vote Act.

That law requires states to set up their own procedures, so that voters can file complaints about potential violations of HAVA, the letter says.

US Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charities Bureau Doesn't Have To Pay State Unemployment Taxes

The Supreme Court on June 5 handed down a unanimous ruling in a religious rights case, finding that a Catholic charity in Wisconsin can’t be required to pay unemployment taxes when other religious groups are exempt.

The high court said the state’s tax decisions created an advantage for groups with a more overtly religious tone in their daily work, a violation of the First Amendment.

“It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain ‘neutrality between religion and religion,'” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in the opinion. “There may be hard calls to make in policing that rule, but this is not one.”

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Float Bill To Reauthorize The Stewardship Program

A Republican lawmaker who has said Wisconsin’s land purchase program is on “life support” is floating a bill to keep it going for four more years. But it would provide less funding and require legislation for costly acquisitions under a new program.

The bill brought by Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, and Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, comes as GOP legislative leaders have cast doubt on the future of the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program. Republicans have said the program is in jeopardy after losing a legal battle with Gov. Tony Evers over blocked funding for conservation projects.