Morning Headlines - Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 | 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

What The Jalisco Cartel Leader’s Death Means For Civilians In Mexico

Civilians across Mexico are bracing for what could come next as fears of violent retaliation are mounting after the army killed the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Sunday morning.

The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” triggered chaos in Puerto Vallarta. The popular tourist destination was blanketed in smoke as cars burned and roads were blocked. Travelers are stranded at airports, panicked and desperate to leave, while flaming vehicles shut down major highways for hours.

Republicans Eye Opening For DHS Deal This Week As Democrats Double Down

Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week facing an uphill climb to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Republicans see an opening after President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday despite few signs that Democrats are willing to compromise on their demands.

Discussions between the two sides have yielded little in recent days, with the White House not issuing a formal counter-offer as of Sunday, after Democrats presented what GOP sources described as a “recycled” proposal last week.

Trump Demands Netflix Fire Susan Rice As DOJ Probes Warner Deal

President Donald Trump demanded that Netflix fire board member Susan Rice or “pay the consequences.”

Rice argued during a podcast last week that “it is not going to end well” for corporations, news organizations, and law firms that “bent the knee” to Trump, and that their deference is unpopular.

Trump’s comments come as Netflix is pursuing a takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Email Newsletters As A Source Of News

Email newsletters have become a familiar format for news. But this pathway to news remains somewhat niche, and even among Americans who get news from email newsletters, a majority say they don’t end up reading most of the newsletters they receive.

Three-in-ten U.S. adults say they get news from newsletters at least sometimes, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in August 2025. While digital platforms, such as news websites, search engines and social media are all more common pathways to news, newsletters offer a distinct format for briefings, opinions and deep dives. And unlike many other digital formats, similar shares of Americans across age groups get news from email newsletters.

Gen Z Is Fueling An iPod Comeback

Gen Z is breathing new life into the iPod. Young people are now checking eBay and Facebook Marketplace for the very devices their parents carried around a decade ago.

The numbers prove it. Google Trends data shows search interest for the original iPod and the iPod Nano jumped last year, even though Apple killed the product line in 2022. Between January and October 2025, eBay saw searches for the iPod Classic rise 25% and the iPod Nano climb 20% compared to the same period in 2024. Internal eBay figures shared with Axios tell the story.

For a generation raised on endless streaming and constant notifications, the reason is simple. They want out.

Wisconsin Assembly Quietly Okays Online Sports Gambling Plan

Wisconsin may be on its way to more sports gambling.

The Wisconsin Assembly on Thursday quickly approved the plan to allow the state’s tribes to open online sports gambling services. The vote was a voice vote, and it was controversial.

Voice votes do not take a rollcall, and voters at home will never know how their representatives voted.

The ‘ayes’ carried the vote, but you could hear several lawmakers vociferously yell “no” during the vote.

Many lawmakers don’t like the plan. They fear giving the tribes a monopoly, and they fear the social ills of more gambling.

Gov. Tony Evers has said he will sign the plan.

US Attorney General Endorses Call To Make Tribe Repay Town In Northwoods Roads Dispute

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she’s willing to work with a Republican congressman who wants to force a northern Wisconsin tribe to reimburse the town of Lac du Flambeau for payments to access roads.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, first asked Bondi in an August letter to seek compensation for the town in its longstanding dispute with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

In January 2023, tribal officials placed barricades on four roads after failed negotiations between the tribe, the town of Lac du Flambeau and title companies. The feud stemmed from long-expired easements, or the right to cross someone else’s land, on the roads. The tribe eventually reopened them in March that year, but the federal government later sued the town for trespassing on the tribe’s behalf.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Chris Taylor Emphasizes Rights And Democracy

Judge Chris Taylor, a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, addressed supporters at a meet and greet on Sunday.

She discussed her campaign and vision for the court. Taylor emphasized the significance of the upcoming election.

“We must have a strong court to protect our rights, to protect our democracy, our ability to vote and to protect the independence of the state of Wisconsin,” said Taylor.

Wisconsin Assembly Passes Deals On PFAS, SNAP Funding

Capping off a contentious week of floor sessions that saw tempers flare as lawmakers raced to adjourn for the year, the state Assembly passed bills Friday night tied to hard-fought deals about food assistance and cleaning up forever chemicals, known as PFAS.

Both proposals passed with bipartisan votes and would still need to be approved by the state Senate, which is expected to return to Madison for at least one session day in March.

The votes related to federal food assistance — known nationally as SNAP, and in Wisconsin as FoodShare — passed at a time when the program is set to face more scrutiny under changes signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Wisconsin Women's Hockey Team Secures Regular Season WCHA Title

The Badgers swept St. Cloud in LaBahn Arena on Sunday shortly after the Olympic game, clinching the regular season conference championship.

Freshman Mackenzie Jones celebrated her first career goal, while Captain Lacey Eden added to her impressive record with her fourth goal of the series.