Morning Headlines - Monday, Feb. 17, 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

Washington Post Backs Out Of ‘Fire Elon Musk’ Ad Order

The Washington Post this week backed out of a “Fire Elon Musk” advertising order that was to run as a wrap on some of its Tuesday editions, according to the advocacy group Common Cause.

The group said it signed a $115,000 agreement with The Post to run the ad that would have covered the front and back page of the Tuesday paper as well as a full-page ad with the same theme inside the paper. It said it planned to purchase the ad in collaboration with the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund.

China Says US Has 'Gravely Backpedaled' On Taiwan

China's Foreign Ministry took issue Monday with a revised U.S. government fact sheet that removed a line on American opposition to independence for Taiwan.

The U.S. State Department removed the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence” from the fact sheet last week. The document on America’s relations with the self-governing island is posted on its website.

Taiwan's government welcomed the move, though a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday did not mention the language specifically.

It’s not the first time the State Department has removed the phrase. It did so in May 2022 but restored it a few weeks later after a strong protest from China.

Netanyahu Vows To "Open The Gates Of Hell" If All Hostages In Gaza Not Returned

Israel's prime minister vowed to "open the gates of hell" if Hamas does not return all its hostages and praised President Trump's "bold vision for Gaza's future."

Benjamin Netanyahu, in a joint statement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the United States and Israel have a "common strategy" when it comes to Gaza.

"We can't always share the details of this strategy with the public, including when the gates of hell will be opened, as they surely will if all our hostages are not released until the last one," the statement said. "We will eliminate Hamas' military capability and its political rule in Gaza. We will bring all our hostages home, and we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel."

The NBA All-Star Game Is Still Searching For Answers Despite New Format

Shaq’s OGs won the 74th annual NBA All-Star competition Sunday night, reaching the target score of 40 faster than Chuck’s Global Stars.

Did any of that make sense to you?

As the NBA concluded its All-Star weekend in San Francisco on Sunday, featuring a brand-new game format consisting of four teams (three made up of the 24 All-Stars, one made up of rising stars) playing a mini-tournament of games to 40 points, the consensus conclusion among participants and observers is that the league is still searching for an answer to revive its midseason showcase.

The SNL 50th Anniversary Special: What Worked And What Didn't

How much you enjoyed Sunday night's primetime special celebrating the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live probably depended on how seriously you take SNL to begin with.

If all you expected was a diverting, nostalgia-filled evening where former cast members and celebrity friends of the show bounced in and out of sketches based on some of the program's more notable features, then you likely enjoyed the special — which stretched well past its three-hour planned run time.

Wisconsin Headlines

Evers Budget Plan For Prisons Aims To Overhaul Waupun, Close Green Bay

Gov. Tony Evers is calling for a revamp of the state’s prison system that would expand opportunities for early release, build brand-new cell blocks at the state’s oldest prison in Waupun and close its second-oldest facility in Green Bay by 2029.

Evers said the key cog in his plan is to finally close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake, the troubled youth facilities in northern Wisconsin. They were originally scheduled to shut down in early 2021 but continue to operate without other space to house the offenders there.

Evers told reporters his $535.5 million plan is contingent upon GOP lawmakers agreeing to every piece of what he’s proposed. He argued the provisions must build on each other closely in order to change the trajectory of the state’s overpopulated prisons.

What To Expect In Wisconsin's Spring 2025 Primary Election

Wisconsin’s top school official faces the first big hurdle of her reelection bid in the spring primary on Feb. 18, when she’s running against two challengers in a far different political and electoral environment than she did in her successful 2021 campaign.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly seeks a second four-year term in the nonpartisan role. Looking to unseat her are Jeff Wright, superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District, and Brittany Kinser, an education consultant and founder of a state literacy initiative.

People In Madison Protest Against Elon Musk, Tesla

People in Madison protested against Elon Musk and Tesla Saturday afternoon.

Local demonstrators said they're against the reckless and damaging acts by the "unelected Elon Musk." Andy Olsen, who attended Saturday's protest, said there is a crisis in America.

"The federal government is being dismantled and a big part of the problem is Elon Musk who gave Donald Trump a quarter billion dollars for his election last year. And a lot of that money came from Tesla," Olsen said.

Wisconsin Students Still Lagging Months Behind In Math, Reading Following Pandemic

Average student achievement in Wisconsin remains months behind in math, and a half-grade behind in reading compared to learning levels in 2019.

That’s according to the latest Education Recovery Score Card at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University.

Now in its third year of reporting, the scorecard for Wisconsin shows the state overall ranks 16th in the nation for math recovery and 30th in reading recovery between 2019 and 2024.

Tiffany, McBath Introduce The Justice For Murder Victims Act

Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) announced the reintroduction of the Justice for Murder Victims Act. This bipartisan bill would strike down the “year-and-a-day” rule, a 13th century legal precedent that prohibits a defendant from being prosecuted for murder if their victim dies more than a year-and-a-day after the date of their assault. Identical legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA). The bill also passed the Senate unanimously last Congress.

"Justice should not come with an expiration date. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide justice for murder victims by doing away with the ‘year-and-a-day’ loophole, ensuring that murderers can be prosecuted no matter how much time has passed," said Rep. Tiffany.