Morning Headlines - Monday, Mar. 17, 2025 | 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

Trump Signs Order To Dismantle 7 Federal Agencies Focused On Media, Libraries, Homelessness

President Trump on Friday signed an executive order that aims to eliminate seven federal agencies, including ones that focus on media, libraries, museums and ending homelessness.

The president directed the government entities to “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” insisting they “reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel.” It ordered the heads of each entity to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget confirming full compliance within seven days.

Fresh US Strikes In Yemen With 53 Now Dead, Houthis Say

Yemen's Houthi rebels say there have been fresh US strikes against them, with the number of dead rising to 53, including five children.

Targets in the Al Jaouf and Hudaydah areas were hit early on Monday, according to the rebel group, while the US Central Command said its forces had continued operations.

The US launched what it called a "decisive and powerful" wave of air strikes on Houthi targets on Saturday as part of efforts to stop Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Trump Claims Biden Pardons For Jan. 6 Committee 'Void, Vacant'

President Donald Trump claimed that former President Joe Biden's preemptive pardons of members of the Jan. 6 Select Committee and others were "void, vacant, and of no future force of effect."

Trump in a post to his Truth Social network went on to say that members of that House committee are "subject to investigation at the highest level" and baselessly accused them of being responsible for their own pardons, without Biden's knowledge.

Making his claim about the pardons, Trump cited alleged use of an autopen during Biden's administration.

Fast-Fashion Retailer Forever 21 Files For Bankruptcy

Fast-fashion retailer Forever 21′s U.S. operating company on Sunday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in six years, hamstrung by dwindling mall traffic and mounting competition from online retailers.

The move likely means liquidation for the company, which was unable to find a buyer for its roughly 350 U.S. stores. Its trademark and intellectual property - still held by an entity called Authentic Brands Group - may live on in a different form.

Why Do We Celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

While St. Patrick's Day celebrations often produce images of T-shirts donning "Kiss me, I'm Irish," leprechaun hats and pubs full of people, the holiday holds a deeper meaning.

Here's a look at who Ireland's patron saint was and why he is celebrated each year.

Wisconsin Voters To Decide Schools Superintendent Race And Voter ID Question In State's Spring 2025 Election

The high-stakes race for Wisconsin Supreme Court has gotten most of the attention leading up to the April 1 election. But it is not the only issue voters will decide when early voting begins on March 18.

Also on the ballot is a race for the battleground state’s top education official who will guide policies affecting K-12 schools during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Should Corrections Workers Be Paid For Pre- And Post-shift Tasks? SCOWIS Weighs Case

Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is weighing whether thousands of corrections workers should be able to sue as a group in a dispute over pay.

Several corrections workers sued the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in 2020, saying they should be paid for carrying out duties before and after their shifts officially start.

That includes going through security screenings, putting on equipment and conducting post-shift briefings.

Badgers Go Dancing! Wisconsin Is A 3-Seed In The NCAA Tournament

The Wisconsin Badgers drew a No. 3 seed in the East region in the NCAA Tournament and will play the No. 14 Montana in the first round in the Denver regional. The winner of that game will play against the winner of No. 6 BYU versus No. 11 VCU.

Wisconsin played their way back to the No. 3 seed line this week after a strong four days at the Big Ten Tournament.

Assembly Democrats Blast Republican Crime Legislation

Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly are taking a stand against a series of bills that would get tougher on crime across the state.

Republicans on Thursday approved nine pieces of legislation that would do everything from boost penalties for shooting police dogs, allow communities to impound cars that are used in reckless driving cases, and punish Milwaukee Public Schools if they do not return school resource officers to schools.

Rep. Ann Roe (D-Janesville) said Democrats don’t object to everything on that list.

“Penalizing reckless driving and those who hurt K-9 units are bipartisan issues. However, most of these bills offer no real or substantive safety measures for our communities,” Roe said Thursday.

Kaul Joins Suit Against Trump Administration Efforts To Dismantle Department Of Education

Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined 20 other AGs in suing the Trump administration over its efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

The suit comes after President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday announced plans to lay off nearly 50% of the agency’s workforce, dropping it to less than 2,200 employees. That includes nearly 600 workers who accepted voluntary resignation or retirement. Trump has said he plans to sign an executive order to begin eliminating the department.