Morning Headlines - Monday, Oct. 27, 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

Congress Under The Gun On Military Pay As Trump’s $8 Billion Dries Up

Time is running out to find the next solution to get service members paid during the government shutdown, as the $8 billion the Trump administration found to cover troops’ paychecks is due to run out at the end of the month.

After Senate Democrats on Thursday sank a vote on Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) bill to pay active-duty military personnel and federal employees required to work during the shutdown, troops, sailors and Air Force members may not receive their Oct. 31 paycheck.

Melissa Strengthens To A Category 5 Hurricane As It Nears Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

Melissa is forecast to make landfall on the island Tuesday and cross Cuba and the Bahamas through Wednesday.

Melissa was centered about 130 miles (205 kilometers) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 315 miles (505 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

Navy Helicopter, Fighter Jet Both Go Down In South China Sea: Navy

A Navy helicopter and a fighter jet, both conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, went down in the South China Sea about 30 minutes apart Sunday, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement.

The U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter went down at about 2:45 p.m. local time. All three crew members were safely recovered, the Navy said.

"Following the incident, separately, at 3:15 p.m., an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter assigned to the 'Fighting Redcocks' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 also went down in the waters of the South China Sea while conducting routine operations from Nimitz."

Federal Reserve Meets Wednesday For Interest Rate Decision. Here's What Economists Predict

The Federal Reserve is set to make its next interest rate decision on Wednesday, even as a near-total blackout of federal economic data continues amid the government shutdown.

The Labor Department, however, on Friday released one key report ahead of its meeting: the Consumer Price Index. That report showed that the inflation rate rose at a pace of 3% last month, cooler than expected, as the impact of President Trump's wide-ranging tariffs have so far been more muted than economists have forecast.

NCAA Ordered To Pay $18M To Former Football Player And Wife In Concussion Lawsuit

The NCAA owes a former college football player and his wife $18 million, a South Carolina jury decided while finding college sports’ major governing body negligent in failing to warn the player about the long-term effects of concussions.

Following a civil trial that wrapped up late last week, Orangeburg County jurors awarded $10 million to 68-year-old Robert Geathers, who played at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980 as a defensive end. His wife, Debra, was awarded $8 million, according to a court document.

Behind Wisconsin’s Vape Ban: Lobbying, Lawsuits, And Lost Sales

Vape shop owners in Wisconsin are facing challenges due to a state law that bans most products from their shelves. This has resulted in a loss of customers and forced some shops to close.

Shops in Iowa and Illinois are experiencing increased sales, offering discounts to customers with Wisconsin IDs. Owners compare the situation to the state's marijuana prohibition, which pushes tax revenue across the border.

Lawmakers Ding Underly For Failing To Show At Hearing Over Grooming, Sexual Misconduct In Schools

State Superintendent Jill Underly’s absence at an informational hearing on grooming and sexual misconduct in Wisconsin schools drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers.

Meanwhile, DPI staff said the agency takes allegations of misconduct “deadly seriously” and argued ambiguity in current law limits DPI’s authority to address them.

The Assembly Government Operations, Accountability and Transparency hearing yesterday followed a Capital Times report that the Department of Public Instruction had investigated more than 200 teachers, aides, substitutes and administrators between 2018 and 2023 following accusations of sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors.

One Person Found Dead After Water Tank Explosion In Door County

One person was found dead after Door County deputies responded to a report of a water tank explosion on Saturday morning.

Around 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, the Door County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a water tank explosion at Harbor Village Resort and Campground in Egg Harbor.

Aaron Rodgers And The Steelers Fall Short In QB's Reunion With Packers As Love Leads 35-25 Win

Jordan Love spent three years absorbing what he could from Aaron Rodgers. Footwork. Cadence. Throwing motion. Film study. The list of things Love gleaned from his mentor goes on and on, every last item invaluable in Love's development.

And seemingly every last one of them was on display Sunday night, when the Green Bay quarterback of the present and future outdueled the Green Bay quarterback of the past and served notice he's ready to start writing a legend of his own.

Actor Tony Shalhoub Returns To Wisconsin For New Show Celebrating Food And Community

Sitting in an empty Lambeau Field, actor and Green Bay native Tony Shalhoub enjoys a pregame ritual with Packers legend LeRoy Butler: eating grilled cheese sandwiches.

“If I didn’t have this before a game, I felt like I couldn’t play,” Butler says, holding up a freshly made sandwich made with nine-grain bread, butter and Colby-Jack cheese.

“I have to tell you, this is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had,” Shalhoub tells Butler. “Whether it’s the place, being here with you, the specialness.”