Morning Headlines - Monday, Sept. 1, 2025

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

Federal Forces Could Arrive In Chicago By End Of Week, Mayor Warns

Mayor Brandon Johnson said a surge of federal agents was expected in Chicago by Friday, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten a federal crackdown in the nation’s third-largest city.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations will soon ramp up in the city.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Johnson have taken steps to prevent a potential deployment, as Trump and his team continue to lash out at the city’s Democratic leadership.

Government Shutdown Looms As Congress Returns After Monthlong August Recess

Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a government shutdown looms.

The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber’s rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations.

What Portland Got Wrong About Addiction (And Why New York Should Pay Attention)

Hi. I’m Scott, and I’m an alcoholic.

I have lived the truth behind every flawed assumption, policy misfire and well-intentioned myth about addiction. I have walked through the depths of hell with suffering as my only companion. I know what lives there — and I know the way out.

Some draw a line between alcoholism and drug addiction, as if that changes the conversation. The only real difference is that alcoholics buy their drug at a liquor store instead of on a street corner. The behaviors, thought processes, emotional dysfunction and self-destruction are all the same. Alcohol just happens to be legal.

More Students Head Back To Class Without One Crucial Thing: Their Phones

As students across the country head back to class, one thing won't be coming with many of them: their cell phones. This year more states than ever are banning students' devices during school hours.

In Texas, every public and charter school student will be without their phones during the school day this fall. Brigette Whaley, an associate professor of education at West Texas A&M University, expects to see "a more equitable environment" in classrooms with higher student engagement.

Powerball Jackpot Grows To $1.1b After No Ticket Matches All Numbers In Saturday's Drawing

The Powerball jackpot has swelled to $1.1 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday's drawing -- becoming the fifth-largest jackpot in the game's history.

It's been three months since someone has won the grand prize, which has sent ticket sales -- and the estimated jackpot -- soaring heading into Labor Day weekend.

The next drawing is set for Today.

Wisconsin Headlines

Congressman Fitzgerald: What Gov. Evers Left Out About BBB

One of Wisconsin’s Republican congressmen is fact-checking Gov. Tony Evers on the changes included in the Big Beautiful Bill.

Congressman Scott Fitzgerald took to X on Friday to correct what he says are the governor's "misleading" spin on the coming changes to Medicaid and food stamps in the state.

“Governor Evers is trying to scare taxpayers with false claims about the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Fitzgerald wrote. “His claim that the One Big Beautiful Bill will ‘increase costs for Wisconsin taxpayers by over $284 million’ misrepresents reality.”

La Crosse Sues Fire Truck Manufacturers, Says They Coordinated To Raise Prices, Limit Supply

The city of La Crosse is suing three fire truck manufacturers — including two headquartered in Wisconsin — in federal court, accusing them of unlawfully coordinating to limit the supply of trucks and raise prices.

The class action suit was filed last week against the manufacturers Oshkosh Corporation, REV Group and Rosenbauer America. It also names the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association. Oshkosh Corporation is based in the Fox Valley. REV Group is headquartered in Brookfield, and Rosenbauer is headquartered in South Dakota.

REV Group and Oshkosh Corporation called the lawsuit meritless. Rosenbauer America could not be reached for comment.

Rep. Stroud: Announces Co-Sponsorship Of Keeping Families Together Bill Package

ASHLAND, Wis. — Representative Angela Stroud announced today she will co-sponsor the Keeping Families Together bill package, a set of four bills introduced by Wisconsin Democrats to protect immigrant families and promote accountability.

The legislation would prohibit the use of Wisconsin facilities or funds for federal immigration detention, create grants for community organizations providing legal services to families, bar state and local officials from entering into federal 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements, and require law enforcement officers to unmask and identify themselves by name and badge number when making arrests or detentions.

“Current immigration policy is being enacted by elected officials who are trying to score political points by scapegoating and terrorizing vulnerable members of our communities instead of working to solve actual problems. If we see areas in our society that need reform, then let’s make real improvements.”

Alcohol Use For Americans Hit A Record Low. What Does That Mean For Wisconsin?

A new Gallup poll shows the share of adults in the United States who say they drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest point in the nearly 90 years. In 2025, 54 percent of Americans reported drinking alcohol, down from 58 percent in 2024, 62 percent in 2023 and 67 percent in 2022.

According to Gallup, a majority of Americans, 53 percent, now say moderate alcohol consumption is bad for your health. That’s up from 45 percent in 2024 and 39 percent in 2023.

There are some signs that Wisconsin has experienced a similar trend. Roughly 70 percent of Wisconsinites drank alcohol as of 2005. That was down to 66 percent in 2013 and 61 percent in 2023, according to data from Trace One, a food and beverage software company.

2025 Early Goose Hunting Season Opens Today

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2025 early goose season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. This early hunting opportunity is available to hunters throughout the state.

The early goose season has an increased daily bag limit of five Canada geese and is uniformly regulated across Wisconsin.

The 2025 population estimate for Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese is 131,567 birds. This estimate is slightly lower than in 2024, but still over 20% higher than the long-term average.