Morning Headlines - Monday, Jan. 26, 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

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Tells Trump: "You Clearly Underestimated The People Of This State And Nation"

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke to the press Sunday afternoon, one day after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents in south Minneapolis — the third shooting this month amid Operation Metro Surge, and the second fatality carried out by federal immigration enforcement forces.

"What's the plan, Donald Trump? What is the plan?" Walz said. "What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state? If fear, violence and chaos is what you wanted from us, then you clearly underestimated the people of this state and nation. We are tired, but we're resolved. We're peaceful, but we'll never forget. We're angry, but we won't give up hope. And above all else, we are clearly unified."

Senate Democrats And Republicans Call For Investigation Into Killing Of Alex Pretti

Congressional leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration's account of the killing of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old U.S. citizen shot dead by federal officers during an immigration enforcement protest in Minneapolis Saturday.

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., accused the administration of a "cover up" Sunday and said the federal government is ignoring a court order that allows state investigators to access evidence in Pretti's killing.

NASA Is About To Send People To The Moon — In A Spacecraft Not Everyone Thinks Is Safe To Fly

When four astronauts begin a historic trip around the moon as soon as Feb. 6, they'll climb aboard NASA's 16.5-foot-wide Orion spacecraft with the understanding that it has a known flaw — one that has some experts urging the space agency not to fly the mission with humans on board. But NASA remains confident it has a handle on the problem and the vehicle can bring the crew home safely.

The issue relates to a special coating applied to the bottom part of the spacecraft, called the heat shield. It's a crucial piece of hardware designed to protect the astronauts from extreme temperatures as they're descending back to Earth during the final stretch of their moon-bound mission called Artemis II.

Apple Reportedly Aiming To Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year.

First up will be MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which should be coming soon. Then, the MacBook Pro is expected to receive a major redesign in late 2026 (but 2027 is still not fully ruled out), with rumored features including an OLED touch screen, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a thinner design, and built-in cellular connectivity.

Super Bowl 60 Is A Rematch From 11 Years Ago

Drake Maye vs. Sam Darnold. Two stingy defenses. A second-year head coach vs. a veteran coach in his second act.

Super Bowl 60 is set, and it’s a rematch: the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks.

The Patriots will seek their NFL-record seventh Super Bowl victory when they face the Seahawks on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Led by Maye, coach Mike Vrabel and a stifling defense, the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick won their sixth ring together seven years ago.

Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Blames Minnesota’s Walz For Shooting. Democrats Denounce Killing

In a social media post, Trump accused Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minn. Gov. Tim Walz of “inciting insurrection” in the state with their “pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric” and diverting attention from the state’s fraud scandal.

U.S. House Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, indicated Walz played a role in the death of Pretti in response to a post that said Minnesota officials are fueling tensions with ICE.

“Walz is a moron who is getting people killed to cover up for the massive fraud he oversaw,” Van Orden said in a post on X.

Assembly Passes GOP Bills Seeking To Limit Influence Of Foreign Adversaries

Assembly Republicans pushed through a slate of bills to curb perceived avenues for nations designated as foreign adversaries to influence state agencies and higher education institutions.

The six bills would limit the use and purchase of technology manufactured by “foreign adversaries” by state agencies and medical and research institutions, limit academic collaboration with some foreign colleges and universities, and create new criminal penalties for acting as an agent of certain foreign governments, among other measures.

Assembly Passes Bold—and Much Needed—Stewardship Reform

The only word that really comes to mind is Hallelujah.

It is exactly the word I shouted when I learned that the state Assembly this week passed a significantly reshaped reauthorization of the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the state’s gargantuan big government land-grab scheme.

The vote was 53-44, along party lines. It now goes to the state Senate.

Now, I’ve been pretty rough on Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) after they offered up a version of Stewardship reauthorization this past summer that was a monstrosity, the proposed compromise being, in effect, to give the land trusts and easement weasels everything they wanted.

New WEDC Head Shares Vision For Wisconsin Economic Development, Data Centers

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has new leadership guiding the state into the new year.

Gov. Tony Evers appointed John W. Miller as the new secretary and CEO of the agency last month. He replaced Missy Hughes, who left to run for governor as a Democrat.

Miller takes over at a time when there are widespread concerns about inflation, tariffs and economic uncertainty, but he’s confident the state can navigate these challenges.

Packers Offensive Tackle Rasheed Walker Arrested On Gun Possession Charge At LaGuardia Airport

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker has been arrested after police say he presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials at LaGuardia Airport.

Port Authority police said Walker was arrested Friday morning after they responded to a request for a firearms check at LaGuardia’s Terminal C. Police said the 25-year-old had checked in at Delta and had presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials.