Morning Headlines - Thursday, Feb. 26, 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

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Block Big Investors From Buying Single-Family Homes

A bipartisan duo — Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley — is teaming up on legislation that would ban large investment firms from snapping up single-family homes, a measure they say is aimed at the country's housing affordability crunch.

The bill is set to be introduced on Thursday, two days after President Trump urged lawmakers in his State of the Union address to put limits on institutional investors buying houses. It will be the first new piece of proposed legislation on the issue since Mr. Trump's speech, though Merkley and over a dozen Democrats introduced a different bill on the same topic earlier this week.

10 Cuban Nationals On U.S. Speedboat Intended To Carry Out An 'Armed Infiltration,' Cuba Says

Cuba said its military killed four Cuban residents of the U.S. who were on a speedboat that entered its territorial waters Wednesday, which the country’s Interior Ministry called a "foiled armed infiltration."

The speedboat, which was registered in Florida, “was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements from those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“Assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms were seized,” the ministry said.

Vance, Oz Announce Pause In Medicaid Funds To Minnesota Amid Fraud Probe

Vice President JD Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz announced on Wednesday the Trump administration will halt certain Medicaid funds to Minnesota as a part of the effort to crack down on fraud in the state.

“We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Minnesota in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligation seriously to be good stewards of the American people’s tax money,” Vance said alongside Oz.

Nvidia’s Stock Sees Only Marginal Gains After Better-Than-Expected Results. Here’s The Latest

Nvidia stock is up 1.3% in pre-market trading on Thursday, as investor concerns around the AI infrastructure boom dampened enthusiasm about its better-than-expected earnings.

Revenue for its fiscal fourth-quarter hit $68.13 billion, ahead of analyst estimates of $66.21 billion, according to LSEG. Total revenue climbed 73% from the figure Nvidia reported a year ago and guidance also came in ahead of expectations.

Where To See The Total Lunar Eclipse In The Early Hours Of March 3

The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will transform the moon into a coppery red "blood moon" in the early hours of March 3 for skywatchers in North America.

The long-lasting and impressive blood moon on March 3 will be visible to billions within the path of the eclipse, but exactly what you'll see depends on where you are watching it from.

You can keep up with the latest lunar eclipse news with our lunar eclipse live blog.

Wisconsin Debates Reintroducing Death Penalty For Child Sex Offenders

Wisconsin lawmakers are circulating a bill that could bring back the death penalty for certain child sex offenses.

The proposed legislation aims to eliminate these crimes but faces warnings from child advocates about potential unintended consequences.

Wisconsin was the first state to permanently abolish the death penalty in 1853. The bill's return would mirror legislation in states like Alabama, which inspired the proposal.

Wisconsin Bill Proposing Roadside Drug Testing Sparks Public Safety And Legal Debate

A proposal at the Wisconsin Capitol, would allow law enforcement officers to use roadside oral fluid testing in suspected drug-impaired driving cases — a measure supporters describe as another investigative tool and critics say raises legal and scientific concerns.

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said deputies are encountering more cases involving drugs, including prescription medications, in addition to alcohol.

“We’re starting to see an increase in impaired driving and not just from illegal controlled substances … but also from the improper use of prescription medications.”

Marquette Poll: Hong, Barnes Top Democratic Primary For Governor, But Most Voters Undecided

A new poll released Wednesday by Marquette University Law School shows former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes has more name recognition than any other candidate for governor — but he isn’t Democratic voters’ clear first choice.

Marquette surveyed 818 registered Wisconsin voters from Feb. 11-19. It found 58 percent had only heard “a little” about the candidates running for governor, while 35 percent had heard “nothing at all.” Among Democratic primary voters, 65 percent reported they hadn’t made a choice.

Wisconsin Democrats Pitch $20-An-Hour Minimum Wage

Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol are, once again, looking to hike the minimum wage.

A number of Democrats on Tuesday introduced a plan to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an-hour to $15. And then raise it incrementally to $20 an-hour by 2030.

“At a time when workers are the most productive in history and profits are at record highs, $7.25 an-hour cannot pay the monthly bills in Green Bay or anywhere in Wisconsin,” Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner, D-Green Bay said.

But the Democrat's message was not just about the minimum wage. A number of lawmakers said what Wisconsin needs is a "living wage."

Wisconsin And 14 Other States Sue Trump Administration Over Changes To Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

More than a dozen states sued the Trump administration Tuesday over its rollback of vaccine recommendations for children, calling the move an illegal threat to public health.

The states argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put children’s lives at risk when it announced last month that it would stop recommending all children get immunized against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV. Under the new guidance, which was met with criticism from medical experts, protections against those diseases are recommended only for certain groups deemed high risk or when doctors recommend them in what’s called “shared decision-making.”