Morning Headlines - Friday, Oct. 24, 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

5 Takeaways From The Demolition Of The White House’s East Wing

The East Wing of the White House is no more.

Aerial imagery showed the wing of the nation’s most famous building that has been used by first ladies for decades has been razed.

In its place, President Trump intends to erect a new ballroom.

Trump’s argument is that the room that is currently the largest in the White House, the East Room, is not big enough for major ceremonies.

But there has been plenty of criticism about the new project and the way Trump has gone about it.

Specifically, he had not previously suggested that the East Wing would be entirely demolished to facilitate the new structure. 

Here’s what else to know.

Disney Warns ESPN, Other Networks May Go Out On YouTube TV At The End Of The Month

Disney began running public messages to YouTube TV subscribers warning them of a potential black out.

YouTube TV wants more favorable terms to carry Disney’s networks given its recent growth. YouTube TV has about 10 million subscribers.

Disney’s existing carriage deal with YouTube TV ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 30.

YouTube TV said it would offer subscribers a $20 credit if Disney’s networks are unavailable for a period of time.

Thieves Cut Through Roof, Steal Hundreds Of Shoes In Florida Mall Heist

Authorities in Florida are searching for suspects who investigators said pulled off an elaborate heist to steal thousands of dollars in shoes from a mall this week.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, thieves reportedly cut through Treasure Coast Mall’s concrete roof before dropping into Champs Sporting Goods sometime between midnight and 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Investigators said the suspects stole hundreds of pairs of Nike shoes, bagged them and loaded up a getaway vehicle parked outside before leaving the scene.

Trump Abruptly Terminates All Trade Negotiations With Canada Over 'Fraudulent' Ronald Reagan Attack Ad

Donald Trump 'terminated' all trade negotiations with Canada while claiming an anti-tariff commercial featuring an address from Ronald Reagan was 'FAKE.' 

The advertisement was part of a $53.5million campaign by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to inform Americans about the negative effects tariffs can have on their everyday lives.

Trump railed against the campaign Thursday night as he terminated the crucial trade talks.

'The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs,' the president wrote on Truth Social.

Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Arrested In Gambling Inquiries

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones have been arrested as part of a pair of wide-ranging investigations related to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, authorities announced Thursday.

Billups and Rozier have been placed on leave from their teams, the NBA said in a statement.

A total of 34 people were arrested as the result of a yearslong investigation covering 11 states and involving tens of millions of dollars

Wisconsin Headlines

Republicans Blast State Superintendent’s Silence At Grooming Hearing

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol say the silence from both the governor and the state superintendent of schools is telling.

State Superintendent Jill Underly skipped Thursday’s hearing in front of the Assembly Committee on Organization where lawmakers asked questions about the recent report that shows 200 teachers in Wisconsin since 2018 have been investigated for grooming or sexual misconduct, and many of them walked away simply by resigning.

“Instead of answering questions or working with the legislature to fix these problems Jill Underly is skipping town to receive an award at Indiana University,” Republican Congressman and candidate for governor Tom Tiffany said Thursday. “Hiding from accountability while collecting an award in another state is the perfect summary of her leadership at DPI.”

Wisconsin Justice Susan Crawford Recuses From Gableman Disciplinary Proceedings

Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford is recusing herself from disciplinary proceedings against former conservative Justice Michael Gableman.

Her decision not to hear the case leaves the court with a 3-3 split between liberals and conservatives as justices decide whether to suspend Gableman’s law license over several ethics violations during his failed investigation into the 2020 election.

A Bipartisan Bill That Would Allow For Traffic Cameras In Milwaukee Inches Forward

In 2024, 74 people died and about 5,500 were injured in car crashes in Milwaukee, according to the city’s Traffic Violence Dashboard. That’s a 45% increase in fatalities compared to 2014.

A 2024 report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that while traffic deaths declined by 36% in the whole of Wisconsin from 2002 to 2022, the same statistic rose in Milwaukee County by about 114%. Between 2012 to 2022, crash deaths in Milwaukee increased by about 100%, while the state’s next 19 largest cities combined saw only a 46% increase in the same period, according to the report.

State Democrats Introduce Three Bills Aimed At Supporting Veterans

Democratic lawmakers introduced three bills aimed at supporting veterans and their families. 

The proposed legislation includes making Veterans Day a state holiday and establishing a veterans mental health grant program. Gov. Tony Evers had included $5 million for this program in his budget proposal, but the funds were not in the final budget.

UPDATE:Two Killed In Northern Wisconsin Crash

On Wednesday October 22, 2025 at 2:12pm, Douglas County 911 received a call from a motorist reporting a white vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes of USH 53 near the Kent Rd. in Hawthorne Township. At 2:15pm calls were received of a head-on crash in the same general vicinity.

Emergency responders arrived on scene and found two vehicles with heavy front-end damage, one on each side of the road. The driver's of both vehicles were checked for signs of life, with none found.

Witness statements and evidence at the scene indicate a white 2020 Subaru Forester being driven by Daniel W. Ohara, 77, of Duluth was traveling north in the southbound left lane where it collided with a southbound 2010 Dodge Caravan being driven by Todd M. Eckart, 61, of Duluth.

The crash is under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office with the Wisconsin State Patrol doing an accident reconstruction. Also responding and assisting on the scene were volunteers from the towns of Hawthorne, Bennett, and Solon Springs, the Douglas County Highway Department, Douglas County Medical Examiners Office, and Mayo Ambulance.