Morning Headlines - Friday, Sept. 26, 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

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted On 2 Counts

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday on two counts, marking a major escalation in President Trump's efforts to target his political opponents and use the Justice Department as part of his campaign to seek retribution against his most ardent critics.

Comey was charged with one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, related to Senate testimony he gave almost five years ago. A majority of grand jurors did not approve indicting him on an additional count of lying to Congress, according to court papers — an unusual development since grand juries rarely reject charges.

U.S. To Impose 100% Tariff On Branded, Patented Drugs Unless Firms Build Plants Locally, Trump Says

The U.S. will impose a 100% tariff on “all any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product” entering the country from Oct. 1.

The measure will not apply to companies building drug manufacturing plants in the U.S., Trump added.

He said that the exemption covers projects where construction has started, including sites that have broken ground or are under construction.

From The Rose Garden To A Ballroom, Trump Set To Leave ‘Permanent Stamp’ On White House

From the paved Rose Garden to a massive ballroom, President Trump is aiming to put his personal stamp on the White House. But critics are railing against changes that could forever alter the look of the most famous address in the country.

In just his first few months since returning to office, Trump has rolled out a multitude of modifications — both big and small — to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Core Inflation Rate Held At 2.9% In August, As Expected, Fed’s Gauge Shows

Core inflation was little changed in August, according to the Federal Reserve’s primary forecasting tool, likely keeping the central bank on pace for interest rate reductions ahead.

The personal consumption expenditures price index posted a 0.3% gain for the month, putting the annual headline inflation rate at 2.7%, the Commerce Department reported Friday.

Excluding food and energy, the more closely followed core PCE price level was 2.9% on an annual basis after rising 0.2% for the month.

McDonald’s Finally Brings Its Biggest Burger Yet To The Us, But There’s A Catch

The Big Mac may be McDonald’s classic, but the chain’s latest heavyweight burger is finally making its way stateside.

Launched in Portugal in July 2024, the Big Arch quickly spread to Canada and Germany before reaching the UK, Ireland, and France in 2025. The burger has become one of McDonald’s fastest-growing international hits.

Stacked with two quarter-pound patties, three slices of white cheese, crispy onions, slivered onions, pickles, lettuce, and Big Arch Sauce on a sesame and poppy seed bun, the Big Arch is billed as a premium option that goes beyond the Double Quarter Pounder.

Planned Parenthood Will Stop Abortions In Wisconsin As Funding Fight Heads To Court

Planned Parenthood will pause abortion services in Wisconsin due to President Donald Trump’s spending bill signed earlier this year. Wisconsin is the first state to implement such a pause.

Planned Parenthood offers a range of services, including cancer screenings, birth control, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Federal Medicaid funds have never been used for abortions, but the organization has depended on Medicaid reimbursements for other services to help keep clinics open.

Universities Of Wisconsin System Proposes Credit Transfer Policy

A new proposal from the Universities of Wisconsin could make transferring between campuses a lot easier for students.

If approved, it would make sure general education credits count no matter where they go within the system.

Students we talked to on Thursday say they hope that this proposal passes this fall so that they can stay on track with their graduation path.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Orders Legal Briefs In 2 Congressional Map Challenges

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has asked parties to file briefs on whether two redistricting lawsuits filed in Dane County Circuit Court should be allowed to proceed.

The court issued its order in response to two requests asking justices to appoint a judicial panel to consider the constitutionality of Wisconsin’s congressional voting map ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The lawsuits were filed in circuit court in July by two liberal law firms. They asked the Supreme Court to appoint three-judge panels to decide whether Wisconsin’s congressional districts are unconstitutional. Until Thursday, the court hadn’t responded.

Critics Question Latest Wisconsin Test Scores

Wisconsin’s state superintendent says there is good news in the state’s latest test scores, but not everyone is willing to go that far.

Superintendent Jill Underly on Thursday said the latest Forward Exam and ACT scores “show a slight increase in student performance in both English language arts and mathematics during the 2024-25 school year.”

Underly announced that the tests show “47.7% of students in all tested grades met or exceeded expectations in ELA. While 48.6% did so in mathematics.”

Menomonie Man Sentenced To 2 ½ Years For Illegally Possessing Firearm

Chadwick M. Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Demetrius Howard, 34, Menomonie, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 2 ½ years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Howard pleaded guilty to this charge on June 24, 2025.

On December 20, 2024, a deputy with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office stopped Howard’s vehicle for speeding. After further investigation, the deputy searched the vehicle and found a bag in the backseat that contained a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun. Howard told the deputy that he would have fled if his child was not in the car and further commented that there could have been a “shootout.” Howard claimed that he found the gun by a dumpster the day before and was going to throw it into the water.