Morning Headlines - Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

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

U.S.-Iran War Appears To Pause As Trump Gives Space For Talks To End Strait Of Hormuz Standoff

The Iranian regime insisted Monday that it is not engaged in any direct talks with the U.S., but after three nights of relative calm, it acknowledged ongoing talks with Oman aimed at establishing "mechanisms regarding maritime traffic" in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" the pause in hostilities is aimed at "giving diplomacy some space," but he stressed that more U.S. military assets are still "moving into the region."

150 days into the war, Iran insists it still controls the vital Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state TV claims the regime fired "warning shots" at six ships trying to use a U.S.-designated route through the waterway, forcing them to turn back.

Macron Calls Crisis Meeting As Wildfires Spread

French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting Monday focusing on monster, uncontrolled wildfires that have forced more than 250,000 people to flee their homes, amid a first glimmer of hope that the spread of the largest blaze may have slowed.

In the Gironde region of southwest France, where flames have burned an area four times the size of Paris, the prefecture said the situation overnight had remained “globally stable" — a change from previous days where the giant blaze raging since last week edged closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux.

Space Data Centers Could Be ‘Catastrophic’ For Planet, Scientist Says

Tech companies may have found a way around opposition to building data centers in communities across America: building them in space.

Several companies, such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, are seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission to launch millions of “orbital data centers” into space.

However, scientists and environmental groups have submitted a petition to the FCC, warning that such an undertaking could alter the atmosphere and could be “catastrophic” for the planet.

Ford Wants More Customers To Customize Vehicles To Boost Profits As It Eyes ‘Nike Shoe Drop’ Moments

Ford is expanding its accessory and parts business in an effort to boost profits and better tap into the automotive aftermarket industry.

The automaker is planning to increase its aftermarket products and systems as well as have “Nike shoe drop” moments with new and special-edition vehicle models.

Ford Custom Garage’s first “vehicle drop” occurred Monday. It is a desert sunrise-inspired Ford Bronco SUV, with a price of $57,350.

Three Dead And Four Injured In Mass Shooting Near Iconic Space Needle In Seattle

Three people were killed when gunfire broke out at a food festival near the Seattle Space Needle on Sunday night, sending families running for their lives.

Rapid gunfire was heard at around 6pm at Seattle Center, which was hosting the annual Bite of Seattle food festival over the weekend.

Two people were killed at the scene, while five people who were injured were treated at the scene.

Four of those victims - a two-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man and two adult women - were then rushed to a local hospital. One of those victims then succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

Wisconsin Headlines

Kalshi Attacks A Wisconsin Law Banning Election Bets As 'Voter Suppression'

Ann Jacobs is a commissioner with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, a quiet, low-profile state agency that oversees elections. Recently, though, her day was anything but quiet.

"I was sitting at my desk, and all of a sudden Twitter was showing a lot of alerts," said Jacobs, who watched a flood of posts inundate her screen from employees, lawyers and other boosters of the prediction market company Kalshi.

"My reaction was, boy howdy are they mad," Jacobs said.

After Public Outcry, Menomonie Will Release Draft Guidelines For Data Center Project

Officials in western Wisconsin are set to release new zoning requirements for a proposed data center project, after a public outcry about the secrecy and development of the 320-acre facility in Menomonie.

The potential zoning change would create guidelines for data centers in the city, according to local officials. It comes after strong opposition at public meetings that included an outcry about the city’s lack of communication on the project and its entering into nondisclosure agreements.

Known as the I-4 ordinance, the Dunn County city of Menomonie is preparing to release a draft version of the ordinance this week, according to a statement from Mayor Matthew Crowe. It’s tied to industrial zoning regulations.

Dozens Of Vehicles Join March Through State Street As Protests Over Corey Ruiz’s Death Continue

Two demonstrations merged into one large march through downtown Madison Saturday night as hundreds once again called for transparency, accountability and justice following the fatal officer-involved shooting of Corey Ruiz.

One group marched from the Williamson Street area to the Capitol, where they joined another crowd already gathered on the steps. Together, the groups made their way down State Street, chanting as dozens of vehicles drove alongside the march. Drivers honked their horns while some vehicles played recorded police sirens.

Mandela Barnes Is Asking Democrats For Another Chance In Governor’s Race

Weeks before the Democratic primary for governor was upended, the midday sun was shining down on the Riverview Dairy Farm in Chippewa County, where former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes was holding a roundtable for his campaign.

As the Yellow River babbled on the other side of a dusty, gravel road, Barnes was greeted by farm co-owner Matthew Holub, along with Holub’s sister and his niece. He gave Barnes a tour of the farm’s milking parlor, its barn for newborn calves and a “heifer care” building, where a handful of wary cows watched the procession.

Packers CEO Ed Policy Repeats Concern About Ability Of Other Teams To Raise Money

In March 2026, Packers president and CEO Ed Policy raised concerns about the inability of his team to sell limited shares for unlimited funds. On Friday, he repeated those concerns in connection with the release of the franchise’s latest annual report.

“It’s like other teams have access to this ATM machine that we just don’t have right now,” Policy said, via the Associated Press. “We’re going to have to be more aggressive with revenue generation going forward. We all know the cost of competing in the NFL is going up, and other teams have access to capital sources that we just don’t have.”

He was specifically referring to the inability of the publicly-owned Packers to sell a minority interest for a large influx of cash.