Morning Headlines - Monday, June 3, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Majority Of Independents Say Trump Received ‘Fair Trial’: Poll

Most independents say former President Trump received a fair trial in the New York hush money criminal case, in a new poll taken in the days after he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal potentially damaging information ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

In a poll published Sunday, 54 percent of independents say Trump received a fair trial, while 46 percent of independents say it was unfair. They were asked to assess the fairness of the trial, “regardless of how you feel about the verdict.”

Judge Blocks Key Defense Evidence And Witness On Eve Of Hunter Biden Gun Trial

The federal judge overseeing Hunter Biden’s gun trial dealt his defense two setbacks Sunday, on the eve of jury selection, by blocking one of his expert witnesses and excluding a key piece of evidence the president’s son hoped to use.

The rulings from Judge Maryellen Noreika resolved some of the sticking points that were still simmering before the trial begins Monday. Taken together, these decisions could make a tough case for Hunter Biden even more challenging to win. President Joe Biden’s son has pleaded not guilty to illegally buying and owning a gun while abusing illicit drugs.

Fauci To Face House Covid Investigators Amid Growing Concern About Handling Of Virus Research

Democrats vigorously defended the public health bureaucracy — and especially its leader, Anthony Fauci — when Republicans sought to tear it down during the pandemic.

But now, in an unexpected twist, Democrats on a House investigative panel are starting to join their GOP colleagues in questioning whether government-backed scientists were fully transparent about controversial virus research and whether a longtime adviser to Fauci skirted public records requests.

Sally Buzbee Steps Down As Washington Post Executive Editor

Washington Post executive editor Sally Buzbee has stepped down from her position, the news outlet announced Sunday. The first woman to lead the newsroom in The Post's 144-year history is leaving as the news outlet prepares for a shakeup of newsroom operations.

Buzbee came to the Post as executive editor in 2021, replacing The Post's longtime newsroom leader Marty Barron.

WNBA Upgrades Foul On Caitlin Clark By Chennedy Carter, Fines Angel Reese For No Postgame Interview

The WNBA on Sunday upgraded Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s foul against Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 violation after reviewing the play.

Carter gave a shoulder shot to Clark that knocked her to the floor before an inbound pass during the third quarter of Saturday’s 71-70 win by the Fever. The officials called it an away-from-the-ball foul and didn’t review the play. It was deemed a common foul at the time.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Prison Warden Quits Amid Lockdown, Federal Smuggling Investigation

The warden at a troubled Wisconsin prison has resigned amid lockdown conditions, an ongoing federal investigation and multiple inmate deaths.

Waupun Correctional Institution Warden Randall Hepp announced his resignation on Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The newspaper obtained an email Hepp sent to prison staff in which he wrote his decision wasn’t easy but he believes it will serve the institution well. He added that the prison has moved closer toward improving safety.

Wisconsin’s Ben Wiegand Earns Olympic Trials Cut With 22.77 50 Freestyle In Time Trial

On his fourth 50 freestyle of the weekend, Ben Wiegand earned the 50 freestyle US Olympic Trials cut as he swam a 22.77. That earned Wiegand his first Olympic Trials cut.

That was just under the cut of 22.79 which he just missed by 0.01 on Friday night. In addition to swimming a 22.80 on Friday, Wiegand time trialed the event swimming a 23.15 and then swam a 23.17 to lead the event in the timed finals version of the event this afternoon.

Minnesota Man Sentenced To 20 Years Initial Confinement For 2005 Madison Bike Path Sexual Assault

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ellen Berz today sentenced Aidison Yang, 43, of Eagan, Minnesota, to 20 years initial confinement in the Wisconsin State Prison System and 20 years of extended supervision in connection with a 2005 sexual assault on a Madison bike path. A jury found Mr. Yang guilty of three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault by Use or Threat of Use of a Dangerous Weapon in February 2024.

“I’m thankful that the defendant is finally being held accountable for the violent crimes he committed nearly two decades ago,” said AG Kaul. “Thank you to everyone who worked to get justice in this case.”

Schutt Won’t Seek Reelection, Avoiding Primary With August

Freshman GOP Rep. Ellen Schutt announced today she has decided against seeking reelection rather than face Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, in an August primary.

August was originally drawn into a seat with freshman GOP Rep. Amanda Nedweski, of Pleasant Prairie. But the Assembly’s No. 2 Republican instead moved into the 31st AD, which includes a good chunk of his old district, setting up a possible primary with Schutt.

Help Prevent The Spread Of Invasive Species

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks the public to take simple precautions to avoid spreading invasive plants and animals in June, which is Invasive Species Action Month, and all year long.

Invasive species are nonnative plants, animals and diseases that cause great ecological, environmental or economic harm. Some have already been found in Wisconsin, while others pose a large risk of surviving and causing problems if they are introduced and established here.