Morning Headlines - Friday, Oct. 17, 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

U.S. Budget Deficit Edged Lower In 2025 As Tariffs, Debt Payments Both Saw New Records

The U.S. budget deficit edged lower for 2025 as record-setting tariff collections helped offset what also were unprecedented numbers for payments on the spiraling national debt, the Treasury Department announced Thursday.

In a year marked by a bruising trade war and high financing costs, the federal government managed to escape with a $1.78 trillion shortfall, some $41 billion, or 2.2%, less than in fiscal 2024.

While that’s still on the high end historically, the red ink would have been still worse had it not been for a massive surge in customs duties and a September surplus of $198 billion that also set a record for the month.

Bolton Indictment Adds To Web Of Trump Foe Prosecutions

The indictment of John Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump during his first term who has since become a fierce critic, adds to a web of prosecutions targeting the president’s political foes.

Bolton’s indictment on 18 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents in Maryland makes him the third key figure Trump has openly criticized whom his administration has brought criminal charges against, following former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

'No Kings' Organizers Project A Massive Turnout For This Weekend's Protests

Organizers of the "No Kings" protests are projecting that millions of Americans will demonstrate against the policies of the Trump administration on Saturday, amid ongoing ICE arrests and the deployment of National Guard troops to several Democratic-run cities around the country.

"The purpose here is to stand in solidarity, to organize, to defend our democracy and protect each other and our communities, and just say enough is enough," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group that is one of the protest organizers.

Meta Adds Parental Controls For AI-Teen Interactions

Meta is adding parental controls for kids' interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether — beginning early next year.

But parents won't be able to turn off Meta's AI assistant, which Meta says will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.”

M5 Macbook Air Coming Spring 2026 With M5 Mac Studio And Mac Mini In Development

Apple plans to launch MacBook Air models equipped with the new M5 chip in spring 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is also working on M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models that will come early in the year.

Neither the ‌MacBook Pro‌ models nor the ‌MacBook Air‌ models are expected to get design changes, with Apple focusing on simple chip upgrades. In the case of the ‌MacBook Pro‌, a much bigger refresh is planned for either late 2026 or early 2027.

Republicans Demand Answers From DPI On Predatory Teachers

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are demanding answers and demanding changes after an explosive report on how some teachers are allowed to walk away from grooming investigations.

Sen. John Jagler, R-Watertown, and Sen. Romaine Quinn, R-Birchwood, who head the Senate’s Committee on Education on Thursday sent a letter to State Superintendent Jill Underly demanding answers after the Cap Times reported that 200 teachers have been investigated for grooming or sexual misconduct, and were in many cases allowed to keep their teaching licenses.

"Allowing teachers under investigation to simply resign to stop an in-depth probe of the alleged abuse is a moral disaster," the two wrote. "If parents can’t trust that they are sending their children to a truly safe environment, nothing else matters."

They asked Underly 12 questions, including when she first

'Wisconsin Is My Home': Former State Economic Development Director Running For Governor

Missy Hughes, the former head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is one of the many Democrats running to replace Gov. Tony Evers when his current term ends.

Hughes has never run for public office before. In a one-on-one interview with 27 News, Hughes said she sees that as an asset to her campaign.

"As I'm talking to Wisconsinites, they're actually excited that I've never held office before," she said. "I'm not a politician, I've talked about that, and they're excited to have someone who has experience of working in communities, of helping communities move forward."

Ben Wikler Steps Back From 2026 Wisconsin Governor Race, Focuses On Family And Party Support

Former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler announced Thursday he will not run for governor in 2026. Instead, he plans to support the Democratic candidate who secures the nomination.

Wikler served as Democrats' state party chair from 2019-2025, and he unsuccessfully ran to lead the Democratic National Committee earlier this year.

An Uber Driver, A Dairy Farmer And A Therapist Walk Into The State Capitol: Many Wisconsin Lawmakers Have Side Gigs

“You look familiar,” state Rep. Lee Snodgrass recalled a customer saying while she was bartending at a restaurant in her district.

“Well, I’m probably your state representative,” she replied.

Snodgrass, a Democrat from Appleton, is one among many of her colleagues to also work a job outside the state Capitol.

After the state budget passes in the summer of odd-numbered years, and with campaign season many months away, the pace in Madison usually slows until the fall. Lawmakers will dial up their side gigs in the meantime.

Wisconsin's 2025 Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 18

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters and the general public that the 2025 pheasant season opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

The opening weekend, Oct. 18-19, has a daily bag limit of one rooster per day. Starting Monday, Oct. 20, the daily bag limit increases to two roosters per day. This limit remains in place for the remainder of the season. Hunters may harvest a rooster or hen when hunting in designated rooster and hen hunting areas (see page 18 of the hunting regulations for a list of these areas).