Morning Headlines - Monday, Oct. 9, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Israel Orders 'Complete Siege' Of Gaza, Cutting Off Food And Electricity, And Prepares For Massive Ground Offensive

Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' on the Gaza Strip, cutting off food and electricity as it prepares for a massive ground offensive 'within 48 hours' after Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack this weekend in what has been described as the Jewish state's 'worst day in history'.

More than 700 Israeli soldiers and civilians were shot dead or blown up in rocket attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group on Saturday, who gunned down some 260 innocent people at a music festival in a brutal, unexpected offensive that drew comparisons with the 9/11 attacks or Pearl Harbour.

In retaliation, Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) and air force pounded the Gaza Strip with air strikes and missile attacks, claiming they hit more than 1,000 Hamas targets in the past two days.

Senate GOP Divided Over Race To Replace McCarthy

The race for House Speaker is dividing Senate Republicans, reflecting the broader division in the GOP between traditional and MAGA-aligned conservatives.

Many mainstream Republican senators are quietly rooting for the House to elect Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) over Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and for the transition to happen as quickly as possible to quell voters’ concerns about the Republican Party’s ability to govern.

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, dropped out of the Speaker’s race Saturday.

UAW Workers Reject Mack Trucks Contract Offer And Vote To Go On Strike

Some 4,000 United Auto Workers members at the Volvo Group-owned Mack Trucks rejected a tentative contract agreement and voted to go on strike, the UAW announced Sunday night.

The union said in a statement that workers plan to strike from 7am Monday after 73% of UAW members voted against Mack Trucks' proposed deal, which the company said included a 20% increase to general wages over five years.

The tentative agreement also included a 10% general wage increase in year one for all employees and a guarantee of no increases in health insurance premiums through the term of the contract, according to a Mack Trucks statement emailed on Sunday night.

New Heart Syndrome Identifies Link Among Obesity, Diabetes And Kidney Disease

As more Americans are being diagnosed with multiple chronic health problems at younger ages, for the first time, the American Heart Association is identifying a new medical condition that reflects the strong links among obesity, diabetes and heart and kidney disease.

According to an advisory released Monday, the goal in recognizing the condition — cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, or CKM — is to get earlier diagnosis and treatment for people at high risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Nobel Prize In Economics Goes To Harvard Professor Claudia Goldin For Research On Workplace Gender Gap

The Nobel economics prize was awarded Monday to Harvard University professor Claudia Goldin for research that has advanced the understanding of the gender gap in the labor market.

The announcement went a tiny step to closing the Nobel committee's own gender gap: Goldin is just the third woman to win the prize out of 93 economics laureates.

She has studied 200 years of women's participation in the workplace, showing that despite continued economic growth, women's pay did not continuously catch up to men's and a divide still exists despite women gaining higher levels of education than men.

Wisconsin Headlines

Protasiewicz Rejects Recusal Motions As Wisconsin Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Redistricting Lawsuit

The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 vote along partisan lines on Oct. 6, agreed to hear a challenge to Republican-drawn legislative maps after a newly elected liberal justice declined to recuse herself.

Justice Janet Protasiewicz’s decision to remain on the case increases the chance that Republicans, who control the Legislature and drew the maps, may proceed with the unprecedented step of impeaching her.

Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation In Menasha, Wis.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer involved critical incident in the City of Menasha, Wis. that occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, October 7, 2023.

At approximately 3:08 p.m., officers from the Menasha Police Department and the Fox Crossing Police Department responded to a domestic dispute on the 1100 block of Geneva Road in Menasha. Upon arrival, officers encountered a male subject armed with bladed weapons. One officer from the Menasha Police Department discharged their firearm during the incident and struck the male subject. First aid was rendered; however, the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

Johnson And Fitzgerald Support Jim Jordan For House Speaker

Two Wisconsin Republicans support congressman Jim Jordan for House Speaker. Both U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and 5th District Congressman Scott Fitzgerald released statements supporting the Ohio Republican for the job.

Jordan said Thursday that he has spoken about his bid to be the next speaker with Donald Trump, and that he would not support ousting Florida’s Matt Gaetz from the Republican caucus.

Man Who Entered State Capitol Armed To Speak With Gov. Evers Identified

The man who was arrested after bringing a handgun and assault rifle to the Wisconsin State Capitol in search of the governor has been identified as Joshua Pleasnick, according to a Department of Administration spokesperson.

As of Friday afternoon, Pleasnick was still considered to be in custody at a hospital.

Leaving Office, State Public Defender Kelli Thompson Says Wisconsin Incarcerates Too Many

State Public Defender Kelli Thompson is stepping down Monday after 12 years on the job. She said now is the right time for the agency to transition to new leadership after the most recent state budget provided a significant increase in resources.

Attorneys in the public defender’s office received long-sought pay increases. State-appointed private attorneys who handle overflow cases from the public defender's office will now be paid $100 an hour, up from $40 an hour just three years ago.

Thompson told Wisconsin Public Radio’s "Central Time" the state’s criminal justice system still needs greater investment.