Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

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!

• Related: View Today's Updated Obituaries

U.S. and World Headlines

Everything We Know About Minnesota's Massive Fraud Schemes

As 2025 draws to a close there is one story that has captured the nation's attention. It's not the striking of boats off the coast of Venezuela allegedly transporting drugs, or China's announcement of military maneuvers around Taiwan. It is the story of fraud in Minnesota, which federal prosecutors estimate could top $9 billion.

A viral social media video by YouTuber Nick Shirley, which was amplified by Elon Musk, Vice President J.D. Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi, has put the issue into the center of the national conversation, stoking a scandal that has been brewing in state politics for years.

U.S. Military Strikes 5 More Alleged Drug Boats, Killing 8

The U.S. military said Wednesday it struck five alleged drug-smuggling boats over two days, killing a total of eight people while others jumped overboard and may have survived.

U.S. Southern Command, which oversees South America, did not reveal where the attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday occurred. Previous attacks have been in the Caribbean Sea and in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Stock Market Ends 2025 With Double-Digit Gains

The stock market recorded stellar year-end returns when markets closed on Wednesday for the last time in 2025. The performance marked three straight years of double-digit gains.

The S&P 500 finished the year up 16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 19%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out 2025 up 13%. A dip in each of the indexes on Wednesday left markets lower in the year’s final trading session.

Tuberville On Mamdani Using Quran At His Swearing-In: ‘Enemy Is Inside The Gates’

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Wednesday slammed incoming New York mayor Zohran Mamdani for being sworn in with the Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam.

“The enemy is inside the gates,” Tuberville wrote in a post on X, where he also posted a screenshot of a New York Times piece on Mamdani’s historic decision.

Mamdani, who will be NYC’s first Muslim mayor, is expected to use at least three unique Qurans for his public and private swearing-in ceremonies. While many elected officials choose to use religious text to take the oath of office, they are not required by law to use any text or book.

Don’t Miss These Ten Celestial Events In 2026, From Aligned Planets To A Total Solar Eclipse

On the heels of a year that brought a dazzling green comet, a rare sunrise eclipse, peak planet viewing, an interstellar visitor and ethereal auroras, you might already be yearning for the next stunning astronomical event.

Luckily, 2026 promises to put on a strong celestial showing, with bright planets, peak meteor conditions, special views of the moon and a total solar eclipse. Look up this year, and you could be rewarded with any of the following cosmic sights—and mark your calendars, as they’re likely to be among the year’s best skywatching spectacles.

Wisconsin Headlines

Oklahoma Woman Charged With Sexual Abuse Crimes Against A Northeast Wisconsin Minor

A 24-year-old Oklahoma woman has been charged with crimes related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor in Northeast Wisconsin.

Randi Cook of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was charged Dec. 23 in a criminal complaint with interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, production of child pornography, and coercing or enticing a minor for unlawful sexual activity.

According to the criminal complaint, Cook began communicating with a Northeast Wisconsin minor between Nov. 7 and Dec. 16. Cook convinced the child to send sexually explicit images of the minor’s genitalia via the internet, the complaint states.

Gov. Evers Celebrates 'Year Of The Kid' With Child Care, Education Gains

Gov. Tony Evers highlighted the achievements of his administration in 2025, dubbed "The Year of the Kid," focusing on efforts to benefit Wisconsin's children and families.

Evers declared this theme during his State of the State Address in January, urging the legislature to support initiatives in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which was signed in July.

"2025 the Year of the Kid was one to remember, and I couldn’t be prouder of our work to do what’s best for our kids," said Evers in a Wednesday press release. He emphasized significant investments in child care, education, and the University of Wisconsin System.

Vos Tells WisPolitics Assembly Likely To Pass Online Gaming Bill This Spring

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told WisPolitics his chamber likely will pass legislation to allow online gaming in Wisconsin, though the final version of the bill may differ from the one abruptly pulled from a floor calendar last month.

During a year-end interview in his Assembly office, the Rochester Republican said his colleagues have expressed two concerns. 

One is that only Native American tribes are allowed to offer gaming, an issue that Vos acknowledged lawmakers can do little about in the near term.

Latest Abortion Ruling May Not Change Anything In Wisconsin

A federal appeals court is allowing President Trump to continue his effort to defund Planned Parenthood, but the impact may be muted in Wisconsin.

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday sided with the Trump Administration plan that would ban abortion providers from accepting Medicaid money for other health services.

The three-judge panel ruled that the president is likely to prevail on the merits of its case.

The funding ban is part of the Big, Beautiful Law that Congress passed over the summer.

Wisconsin Farm Venue Alcohol Law Takes Effect In 2026

New restrictions on serving alcohol at Wisconsin farm venues take effect in 2026. But before the law even goes into effect, there's already a bipartisan push to change it.

The change that takes effect Thursday is part of a much broader liquor law that passed in 2023. It means farm venues have two options starting on Thursday, Jan. 1.