Morning Headlines - Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 | 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

Forget Left Vs. Center. Democratic Voters Are Making Clear They Just Want Change

Democrats remain mixed over what ideological direction the party should take. But across a series of closely watched primaries, they are sending a clearer message about the party's path forward: They want change.

In marquee Senate primaries in Michigan and Minnesota, progressive candidates defeated two members of Congress with significant backing from party leaders. Wisconsin voters narrowly rejected a democratic socialist but still chose a 40-year-old county executive who is seeking to become the state's first Black governor. And in Connecticut, voters ousted one of the longest-serving Democrats in Congress for a challenger who campaigned on generational change.

Karoline Leavitt Exiting As White House Press Secretary

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will be exiting her role at the end of August, switching to a role as a top outside adviser, President Trump announced on Truth Social Wednesday.

The president said she's leaving so she can spend more time with her family. Leavitt had a baby girl, her second child, in May, and recently returned to the White House.

Bill Plaschke On Shocking Lakers Sale: ‘Something Stinks’

Could Walter sell the Lakers to a member of Trump’s extended family and business partner to ease a federal investigation?

Walter made the decision to sell in the wake of a federal investigation over illegal loans. And the fact that he sold the team to the billionaire venture capitalist who just so happens to be the brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law gives the appearance that the two could be related. Of course, that has been denied by the White House, but this is Donald Trump’s America. And if there’s anything we know about Donald Trump’s America, it’s that political influence will be wielded, especially when there is money to be made for those aligned with the president.

Oil Prices Drop As Investors Weigh Falling Demand Against Middle East Tensions

The International Energy Agency said global oil demand is set to fall further than previously expected this year.

Oman’s coastline is reportedly being affected by a massive oil spill caused by a leaking tanker.

Deadly attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea have pushed worries over supply disruptions up another notch.

A First: Galaxy With 3 Black Holes, And 2 Are Merging

For the first time, researchers have identified three supermassive black holes in a single galaxy, and at least two of the black holes appear poised to merge, according to a new study.

The trio of black holes was spotted in a galaxy known as J0148-4214, which is located more than 12.5 billion light-years from Earth. Scientists identified the three objects by analyzing light wavelengths from images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Two of the supermassive black holes are near each other and expected to merge into one entity, researchers said. The third black hole could eventually join them, although it may also be the offshoot of an earlier collision, they say.

Voters Energized As Tom Tiffany And David Crowley Hit The Campaign Trail On First Day As Governor Nominees

David Crowley and Tom Tiffany wasted no time after winning their respective primaries, spending their first day as Wisconsin's major party gubernatorial nominees making speeches around southeast Wisconsin to rally supporters and define their campaigns ahead of November.

'I Fully Support Him': Rep. Francesca Hong Backs David Crowley After Wisconsin Democratic Primary Loss

Rep. Francesca Hong backed David Crowley on Wednesday after narrowly losing the Wisconsin Democratic primary, saying the campaign was about building a movement, not just winning office.

“This campaign was not about getting one person into office,” Hong said in a statement on X. “It is about building a movement for permanent affordability and a government that puts working people first.”

Primaries Set Up Battle For Control Of Wisconsin Legislature

For the first time since 2010, both Democrats and Republicans have a shot at winning majorities in Wisconsin’s state Assembly and Senate.

That’s according to Marquette University Law School researcher John Johnson, who said new voting maps enacted two years ago substantially shifted the balance of power in the state.

Chippewa County Passes 12-Month Moratorium On Data Centers

The Chippewa County Board voted Tuesday night to pass a 12 month moratorium on data center development. In the meantime, the board gave direction to county staff to research and create regulations on data centers for when the moratorium is up.

The moratorium cites the extensive electrical, water, and other infrastructure demands from new data centers. Currently Chippewa County does not have any zoning defining data centers or specific regulations for them.

Lightning Strikes Wisconsin Golf Course, Leaves Distinct Pattern In Green

It's not too often that you see where lightning strikes—even rarer when it's on a golf course.

A post shared on social media by Ledgeview Golf Course depicts the green on hole #1 to have been struck by lightning, a distinct trace left in the grass.

The dark-colored shadow in the image is grass that was burnt by the lightning.