Morning Headlines - Monday, Sept. 29, 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

Comedian Bill Maher Criticizes Media Silence On Genocide Of Christians In Nigeria

Bill Maher, an American comedian, political commentator, and television host known for his sharp, often controversial critiques of religion, politics, and culture, used his HBO talk showmReal Time with Bill Maher on Friday (Sept. 26) to spotlight ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria.

Maher has hosted the long-running show since 2003, featuring unscripted debates with guests from across the political spectrum. During a panel discussion, U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, thanked Maher for raising the issue and said the media has failed to cover the tragedy.

Attack At A Mormon Church In Michigan Leaves At Least 4 Dead, 8 Injured

Four people have been killed and eight others were injured after a shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan on Sunday, according to police.

Police said the suspected shooter, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Mich., drove his vehicle into the front of the church before opening fire on churchgoers. Sanford died after a shootout with law enforcement.

When the shooting broke out, members inside the church shielded children and moved them to safety, authorities said.

Bad Bunny Will Headline The 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL's biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in Northern California.

The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Bad Bunny will lead the halftime festivities from Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.

Eric Adams Drops Out Of New York City Mayoral Race

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that “the constant media speculation” and the “campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars, have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”

His announcement could give a boost to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s chances in the high-profile race against the Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

It could also put increased pressure on Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, to drop out and clear the way for a one-on-one match up between Mamdani and Cuomo.

Lawmakers Dig In Heels As Shutdown Deadline Looms

Lawmakers from both parties dug in their heels Sunday over government funding demands ahead of a meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders aimed at averting a shutdown this week.

During various interviews on the Sunday political affairs programs, Republican and Democratic leaders signaled that health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year remain a key sticking point.

Wisconsin Headlines

Court-Appointed Referee Recommends Michael Gableman Lose Law License For 3 Years

A court-appointed referee is recommending that former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman lose his law license for three years because of several ethics violations during his failed investigation into the 2020 election.

The report from attorney James Winiarski of Milwaukee, who was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, lists 10 counts against Gableman from his time leading the Office of Special Counsel Investigation.

Democratic Candidate Drops Out Of Western Wisconsin Congressional Race

There is one less Democrat running against Derrick Van Orden.

Candidate Laura Benjamin on Friday announced that she is dropping out of the race in the Third Congressional District.

“Running a congressional campaign across a district as large as WI-03 takes significant financial resources. Despite the incredible support we’ve received, the path to victory simply isn’t there without the level of fundraising required to reach voters. Rather than run a campaign without a viable path forward, I’ve made the difficult decision to suspend efforts at this time," she said in a statement.

Mining Company Says Drilling Confirms ‘Significant’ Copper, Gold In Northern Wisconsin

Canadian mining company GreenLight Metals announced Monday that early drilling results confirm the presence of significant copper and gold at the Bend deposit in northern Wisconsin.

The company, which does business in the state as Green Light Wisconsin, drilled six holes this summer on less than an acre of the deposit in Taylor County within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Bend deposit is believed to contain about 4.2 million tons of ore that has primarily copper-bearing sulfides and gold.

Wisconsin GOP Candidate Berrien Ends Campaign, Citing Media Attack

A Republican manufacturer running for governor in Wisconsin has dropped out of the race.

Bill Berrien chose to end his campaign Friday due to reports that he followed numerous sexually explicit accounts online, including a nonbinary pornography performer.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Berrien unfollowed several accounts in recent days after the newspaper asked about the matter.

ICYMI: State Supreme Court Orders Briefs In Suits Seeking To Overturn Wisconsin’s Congressional Maps

The state Supreme Court has ordered briefing in two lawsuits seeking to overturn Wisconsin’s congressional map, asking parties to weigh in on whether the justices should appoint circuit court judges to hear the challenges.

The majority didn’t offer any rationale in its 6-1 ruling.

Conservative Justice Annette Ziegler wrote she “reluctantly” agreed with the order on the briefing schedule. She wrote the parties should explain why the court should appoint a panel to hear the suits when it has already rejected several requests asking the justices to draw new lines after approving the map in 2022.