Morning Headlines - Friday, Mar. 15, 2024 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Trump Makes Radical Overhaul Of RNC At Furious Pace

Former President Trump has transformed the Republican National Committee (RNC) in a matter of days as the organization heads into the general election campaign.

In the same week Trump officially became the presumptive nominee, the RNC hit reset, making significant staffing changes that included bringing in several new faces to senior leadership positions, firing some employees and asking others to reapply for jobs.

A Speech That Sent Shockwaves From Washington To Jerusalem

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s warning that Israel risked becoming a “pariah” and his call for new elections marked a momentous moment in modern US-Israel relations.

Schumer’s rebuke of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday contained extraordinarily strong language for a senior US politician criticizing the Israeli government. It was all the more remarkable coming from the New York Democrat who has a long record of staunch support for the Jewish state.

How Harry And Meghan's Perfectly Timed PR Blitz Torpedoed William's Diana Tribute

Meghan Markle launched her new luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard in a PR blitz orchestrated from the United States that overshadowed an event celebrating the life and work of Harry's mother.

Questions have been raised about whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex timed the announcement to scupper Prince William's speech to the 25th Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London yesterday evening.

In a glitzy Instagram video for the new venture released at 5.15pm yesterday, the Duchess of Sussex can be seen busying herself in a rustic-looking kitchen.

'Rigged' Election Will See Putin Serve Another 6 Years As President

Sasha Skochilenko's crime was swapping supermarket price tags with anti-war messages. Oleg Tarasov was locked up because of the name he gave his Wi-Fi network. Aleksey Moskalyov was convicted of discrediting the Russian military for a drawing his 13-year-old daughter made at school.

Vladimir Putin, 71, Russia's longest serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, will almost certainly emerge victorious in the nation's eighth presidential election.

McDonald's Hit With Systems Outages Worldwide But Some Outlets Back To Normal

Systems outages at McDonald's were reported worldwide Friday, shuttering some restaurants and leading to social media complaints, while other locations were back up and running after the failures.

In a statement to CBS News, the Chicago-based burger giant said, "We are aware of a technology outage, which impacted our restaurants; the issue is now being resolved. We thank customers for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Notably, the issue is not related to a cybersecurity event."

Wisconsin Supreme Court Ruling On Catholic Charities Bureau Raises The Bar For Religious Tax Exemptions

Exemptions that allow religious organizations to avoid paying Wisconsin’s unemployment tax don’t apply to a Catholic charitable organization because its on-the-ground operations aren’t primarily religious, a divided state Supreme Court ruled on March 14.

The outcome of the case, which drew attention and concern from religious groups around the country, raises the bar for all religions to show that their charity arms deserve such exemptions in the state. The Catholic organization’s attorneys immediately promised to appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. If that court agrees to hear the case, any ruling could have broad national implications.

Federal Appeals Court Dismisses Eau Claire Schools Transgender Policy Lawsuit

A lawsuit attempting to overturn transgender student support guidelines at Eau Claire schools has been dismissed by a federal appeals court.

The suit was filed in 2022 by a group of Eau Claire parents calling themselves Parents Protecting our Children.

The parents alleged an Eau Claire Area School District gender support plan violates their constitutional rights because it doesn’t require notifications if a student asks about changing their names and pronouns, using different bathrooms or playing on sports teams that match their gender identity.

Chippewa Falls Man Sentenced To 11 Years For Methamphetamine Trafficking And Possessing Firearms As A Felon

Brandon Herman, 42, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 11 years in federal prison for possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution and possessing firearms as a felon. Herman pleaded guilty to these charges on December 5, 2023.

On May 25, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s rural residence in the Town of Lafayette in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, where they found numerous handguns and a rifle. Herman is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous felony convictions for possessing, manufacturing, and delivering controlled substances and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.

Two Madison Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Fentanyl Trafficking

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that two Madison men have been sentenced in connection with fentanyl trafficking.

Tysean J. Pollard, 22, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 24 months for distributing fentanyl. Pollard pleaded guilty to this charge on December 20, 2023.

In June 2023, the Madison Police Department conducted two undercover buys of fentanyl pills involving Pollard. During the two controlled buys, Pollard assisted with selling an undercover officer fentanyl pills weighing 52.8 grams and 50.7 grams. At Pollard’s sentencing, Judge Peterson noted his youthful age and the minor role he played in distributing fentanyl.

No. 10 Marquette Rebounds In OT After Potential Winner Waved Off, Beats Villanova 71-65 In Big East

Kam Jones and Marquette thought they executed their play perfectly with 2.3 seconds left in regulation to beat the buzzer and Villanova in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.

Not quite. The 10th-ranked Golden Eagles had to go to overtime to finish the job Thursday night.

Jones scored 18 points, Oso Ighodaro's only basket was a huge one with 18 seconds remaining in OT and Marquette rebounded from having a potential winner waved off in regulation to beat Villanova 71-65.