Morning Headlines - Friday, Oct. 3, 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

Trump Barrels Toward Uncharted Legal Territory With Plans For Layoffs During Shutdown

The Trump administration plans to use the shutdown to fire thousands of federal workers, a move that would throw the government into uncharted legal territory.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last week encouraged agencies to think of the shutdown as an “opportunity” to fire federal workers, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that they would be targeting “agencies that don’t align with the administration’s values.”

While the government has had numerous shutdowns in recent years, no administration has used the lapse in funding as a method for firing furloughed workers, bringing a new legal issue before the court.

Shutdown Delays Jobs Report, Leaving Wall Street Without Key Data

The ripple effects of the government shutdown have hit Wall Street. The Labor Department will not release the September jobs report Friday morning as scheduled.

The shutdown has also halted data collection for October, leaving investors and monetary policymakers without one of the most closely watched indicators of the U.S. economy.

The report’s absence comes at a pivotal time for the Federal Reserve, which meets later this month to decide whether to again cut interest rates.

Rising Delinquencies Of FHA Loans: A Harbinger Of Broader Stress?

Mortgage servicers and capital markets participants are constantly monitoring for shifting dynamics in mortgage performance and household stress. This vigilance is not just par for the course in prudently managing risk—it can be pivotal in limiting financial exposure as signs of deteriorating credit conditions emerge.

The value of this approach is being demonstrated once again in late 2025, as ICE mortgage data shows clear signs of an isolated rise in delinquencies among a key sector of the market.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, In Custody For A Year, To Face Sentencing On Split Verdict

On Friday, the high-profile trial of Sean Combs, which was marked by explosive allegations against the mogul, crowds of his supporters and weeks of painstakingly graphic testimony and evidence, will reach its final stage. Combs, who has been in custody since his arrest in 2024, will appear at a sentencing hearing in New York City to advocate for his imminent release.

Federal prosecutors are expected to request that Judge Arun Subramanian sentence Combs to more than a decade behind bars.

Former Des Moines Superintendent Who Was Detained By ICE Federally Charged

A now-former school superintendent who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents has been charged by federal prosecutors in Iowa with one count of being an "illegal alien in possession of firearms," according to court records.

Former Des Moines Public School Superintendent Ian Roberts was charged by complaint on Wednesday, according to the case docket.

He appeared briefly for an initial appearance Thursday afternoon, during which he waived his right to a detention hearing and preliminary examination, according to the docket.

Wisconsin Headlines

School Choice Wisconsin: Choice Schools Score Higher Than Public Schools

The latest school choice snapshot in Wisconsin once again shows success.

School Choice Wisconsin on Thursday released a comparison of scores from the Forward Exam for elementary school kids, the preACT, and the ACT. And the scores show that choice students do better than similar students in public schools.

“These results stand to reinforce a recent School Choice Wisconsin report showing that private choice schools are significantly more productive than public schools,” School Choice Wisconsin VP of Operations Carol Shires said in a statement.

DLGA Pledges $2 Million To Back Rodriguez’ Governor Campaign

The Democratic Lieutenant Governor’s Association plans to spend $2 million on independent expenditures next year backing Sara Rodriguez’ bid for governor, the group announced.

It’s a potentially significant investment with a crowded Dem field that may struggle to raise money with nine people seeking the nomination and others considering getting in the race to succeed Dem Gov. Tony Evers.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Propose Ban On Hemp-derived THC

Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have proposed a bill to ban hemp-derived THC products, arguing the state needs to close what they describe as a "dangerous loophole."

The bill has sparked debate over whether regulation, rather than an outright ban, might be a better solution. State Rep. Lindee Brill is leading the charge to ban intoxicating hemp products such as drinks, oils and gummies.

Kwik Trip Eliminating Pennies

Kwik Trip announced it’s getting rid of pennies at its 900 convenience stores.

Instead, cash transactions will be rounded down to the nearest five cents, to the advantage of customers paying in cash. Credit card and digital transactions will remain the same.

For example, a $1.04 cash purchase in the store will round down to $1.00, but a credit card purchase of $1.04 will still cost you $1.04.

DNR Wardens, Sheriffs Team Up For ATV/UTV Safety

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation wardens and county sheriff deputies teamed up to support safe enjoyment of recreational vehicles during the fifth-annual Think Smart Before You Start ATV/UTV education and enforcement campaign held over Labor Day weekend.

The officers interacted with more than 1,600 operators and riders, discussing important operation guidelines and easy-to-follow safety regulations. While the officers conducted necessary arrests for those operating while intoxicated, hundreds of educational warnings were also issued to stress the role of safety.