Morning Headlines - Monday, Mar. 16, 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 To Know As War With Iran Enters 3rd Week

Several developments came out of Washington, D.C., regarding the war with Iran over the weekend as strikes continue across the Middle East and economic impacts are beginning to be felt domestically.

President Donald Trump and administration officials continued to comment on the timeline of the war, the possibility of a deal with Iran, securing the Strait of Hormuz and the release of oil reserves.

The administration has maintained that the U.S. is decimating Iranian forces and degrading their capabilities, but Iran continues to strike.

U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran's Late Supreme Leader Was Wary Of His Son Taking Power, Sources Say

U.S. intelligence has circulated to President Trump and to a small circle around him that Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had misgivings about his son replacing him, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.

The analysis showed the elder Khamenei was wary of his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, ever taking power because he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader, according to sources.

Trump Allies Plan Senate Floor Takeover To Pass SAVE America Act

President Trump’s allies are planning to take over the Senate floor this week in a bid to pass the SAVE America Act, setting up a major test for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) who is under pressure from Trump and the MAGA base to extend the debate over voting reform for as long as possible.

GOP senators are playing their cards close to the vest ahead of this week’s marathon debate over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require people registering to vote to show documented proof of citizenship.

Older Women Set To Inherit Most Of $54 Trillion In ‘Great Wealth Transfer’ To Widowed Spouses

An estimated $54 trillion is expected to pass on to spouses during the so-called great wealth transfer, with $40 trillion of it going to women who are baby boomers or older, the research shows.

This is largely because the average life span for males in the U.S. is 76.5 years as of 2024, compared with 81.4 years for females.

Older women whose spouses have traditionally handled investments and long-term planning may want to make sure they at least know some basics, financial advisors say.

Selection Sunday: Duke No. 1 Overall In Men's Tournament, UConn Women Get Top Seed

March Madness is upon us. It's Selection Sunday, the day the brackets for the men's and women's NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments are released.

The 32-2 Duke Blue Devils, fresh off a 74-70 win in the ACC Tournament championship game on Saturday over Virginia, were named the top overall seed in the men's tournament. On the women's side, the UConn Huskies will enter the NCAA tournament undefeated for the first time since 2018 with ambitions of repeating as national champions. They were named the women's top overall seed.

68 Out Of 72 Wisconsin Counties Saw A Decline In Public School Students

Wisconsin’s public schools lost 14,087 students this school year, with 68 out of 72 counties experiencing a decline in student enrollment.

The recently released data from the Department of Public Instruction shows Wisconsin public schools lost just under 2 percent of enrollments for the 2025-26 school year compared to the previous year.

It’s part of a decades-long trend that has left districts across the state considering closing or consolidating schools.

What Wisconsin's 2026 Governor Candidates Say About Mining

One reason exploratory mining has returned to Wisconsin is the repeal of the state’s old mining law in 2017. Wisconsin’s “Prove It First” law, otherwise known as the mining moratorium, was passed in 1997.

The law required mining companies to demonstrate where anyone had safely operated a metallic sulfide mine for at least 10 years, and also where a mine had been safely closed for 10 years.

Wisconsin Forests FIRST Initiative Seeks To Create Long-term Roadmap For Forest Products Industry

A new statewide initiative recently launched to ensure Wisconsin has healthy forests well into the future.

As WXPR recently reported, forests are facing number of challenges including climate change, the loss of sawmills and invasive species.

The Wisconsin Forests FIRST initiative is working to develop a strategic plan and long-term roadmap to ensure Wisconsin’s forests remain healthy while also supporting a sustainable and competitive forest products industry.

Tribal Governments Champion Wisconsin Proposal To Regulate Online Gaming

A new innovative state-tribal system for controlling online gambling could pave the way for a future where tribal gaming and online gaming don’t have to be at odds.

Online gaming threatens tribal gaming because of the legal loopholes it operates under, said Victor Rocha, Indian Gaming Association conference chair and a citizen of the Pechanga Band of Indians.

“Prediction markets are a loophole that’s been exploited by Wall Street and the tech bros to circumvent states’ rights and tribal rights,” Rocha said. “It’s been the industry’s dream for the longest time to look for a way for federal, sports gambling or gambling, in all 50 states.”

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Earns At-Large Bid For NCAA Tournament

The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team is officially dancing in March.

The Badgers drew the No. 5 seed and will face No. 12 seed High Point Panthers in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday.

“Obviously excited for our name to get called, which we expected. It’s about where I thought we would be,” Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said. “High Point, obviously a really good team. As you heard me say before, all the bad ones are on spring break.”