Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Jeffrey Epstein Documents Unsealed, Naming Prince Andrew And Former President Clinton

Bill Clinton was described in newly-unsealed court documents as 'a key person' in the lives of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who enjoyed a 'close relationship with the pair'.

The former president, now 77, has long insisted that his connections to Epstein were on a professional basis, to aid the work of the Clinton Foundation. He insisted in 2019 that during his four trips on Epstein's private jet, in 2002 and 2003, he was always accompanied by a retinue of staff and Secret Service agents.

But court documents from June 2016 - part of a defamation suit filed against Maxwell by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Roberts - paint a different picture, after another document saw Epstein accuse Clinton of 'liking them young.'

Senate Democrats Scoff At Biden’s Israel Arms Sale

Some of President Biden’s top Senate allies are criticizing the administration’s moves on Israel, including the latest approval of arms sales to the military that bypassed Congress while also calling on Israelis to wind down months of intense fighting.

Just before the new year, the Biden administration for a second time in a month approved a provision that would transfer weapons to the Israelis without congressional approval. But, top U.S. officials for weeks have publicly called on Israel to ensure civilians remain out of harm’s way as the death toll in Gaza rises into the tens of thousands.

Nikki Haley Ratchets Up Her Attacks On Donald Trump

Nikki Haley didn’t bat an eye when Donald Trump started calling her “birdbrain.” She brushed off his mocking of her surge in the polls by saying she was flattered by the attention. She’s even pledged to pardon him.

But when it comes to his allies’ latest line of attack, Haley will bring a town hall to a halt. Over her record on the gas tax, of all things.

With polls showing Haley gaining on Trump in New Hampshire, the former U.N. ambassador is ratcheting up her attacks on her one-time boss.

Justice Department Sues Texas Over Law That Would Let Police Arrest Migrants Who Enter US Illegally

The Justice Department on Wednesday sued Texas over a new law that would allow police to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, taking Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to court again over his escalating response to border crossers arriving from Mexico.

The lawsuit draws Texas into another clash over immigration at a time when New York and Chicago are pushing back on buses and planes carrying migrants sent by Abbott to Democrat-led cities nationwide. Texas is also fighting separate court battles to keep razor wire on the border and a floating barrier in the Rio Grande.

Former Harvard President Claudine Gay Speaks Out About Her Resignation In New York Times Op-Ed

A day after announcing her resignation as president of Harvard University, Claudine Gay wrote an op-ed for The New York Times defending her tenure.

Gay said she stepped down from her position on Tuesday, just six months in the role, to stop political "demagogues" from using her in an attempt to undermine the university and the values it stands for.

"My hope is that by stepping down I will deny demagogues the opportunity to further weaponize my presidency in their campaign to undermine the ideals animating Harvard since its founding: excellence, openness, independence, truth," she wrote.

Wisconsin Headlines

Dane County Judge Rules Absentee Ballots With Witness Address Errors Can Be Counted

Wisconsin election clerks can accept absentee ballots that contain minor errors such as missing portions of witness addresses, a court ruled Jan. 2 in a legal fight that has pitted conservatives against liberals in the battleground state.

Dane County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin in its lawsuit to clarify voting rights protections for voters whose absentee ballots have minor errors in listing their witnesses’ addresses.

WEC Completes Initial Review Of Spring 2024 Candidate Materials

The new year has barely begun, and Wisconsin Elections Commission staff have already accomplished one significant task related to the 2024 election cycle.

The filing deadline for candidates for the 2024 Spring Election, scheduled for April 2, was Tuesday at 5 p.m., and shortly after WEC staff completed initial reviews of each candidate’s nomination papers and declaration of candidacy.

In all, WEC staff thoroughly reviewed filing materials from more than 70 candidates. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort for the small state agency, as each filing petition takes about an hour for a specialist to review.

Armed Felon Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Robert A. Goldsberry, 29, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon. Goldsberry pleaded guilty to this charge on October 19, 2023.

On November 3, 2022, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Goldsberry for speeding on Highway 51 in Madison. When deputies approached the car, they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and observed Goldsberry—who was the lone occupant—placing his hand on the gear shift multiple times. After deputies asked Goldsberry to step out of the car, he sped away, running multiple red lights and nearly hitting two other vehicles before crashing his car into a traffic signpost. After the crash, Goldsberry jumped out of the car and ran from deputies. He was later arrested and had $3,000 in his pockets.

Wisconsin Congressman After Visiting Southern Border: 'We Need To Restart Border Wall Construction'

Border security is expected to be a key issue in the 2024 presidential election - and concerns about record crossings aren't just for border states.

Wisconsin Republican Congressman Bryan Steil says it's also an issue for Wisconsin.

House Republicans are pushing for better border security with a high-profile visit to the southern border in Texas to make their case for changes.

GOP Bill Would Have Uw Tell Out-Of-State Students How To Vote At Home

The Universities of Wisconsin would be required to provide all first-year students with information on how to vote absentee in their home states under a bill introduced by GOP lawmakers.

Republicans who support the proposal say it would give non-resident students more information and options. But critics say it's an effort to turn away likely Democratic votes in a swing state that led the nation in youth voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections.

Under the bill, UW campuses would also be required to provide students with applications for absentee ballots in other states. Students would still have the choice to vote where they attend classes or at their permanent residence.