Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jul. 9, 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.

U.S. and World Headlines

Graham Platner Suspends Maine Senate Campaign After Sexual Assault Allegation

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner announced Wednesday he is suspending his campaign after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were dating five years ago, ending a Senate run punctuated by personal controversies.

Platner announced his decision in an 11-minute social media video. He vehemently denied the sexual assault allegations, calling them "false" and "not real," but said the pressure from state-level and national Democrats had made it impossible for his campaign to continue. He blamed the "political establishment" for the situation.

Judge Orders Trump To Pay E. Jean Carroll $5 Million Judgment

While President Donald Trump attended the NATO summit in Ankara, a federal judge in New York on Wednesday ordered him to pay what he owes E. Jean Carroll after a jury held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her.

Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered disbursement of the $5 million judgment plus almost $800,000 in interest.

Secret Service Advised Trump To Not Fly Qatari-Gifted Air Force One

The Secret Service advised President Trump not to leave the NATO Summit in Turkey on the newer Qatari-gifted Air Force One, according to a Wednesday report.

Sources familiar with the matter said the president flew out of Ankara on the older Air Force One model out of an abundance of caution for a potential threat from Iran, although none were explicitly identified, the New York Times reported.

What AI Companies Want For The Millions They’re Spending On Elections

AI executives and companies are betting that spending millions in the 2026 midterm elections will allow them to influence AI bills being developed in Congress.

As of the end of June, the two biggest artificial intelligence political action committees have dropped at least $44 million into 40 House and Senate candidates, per a CNBC analysis of Federal Election Commission data. That’s an early taste of how the groups will spend the more than $200 million they’ve raised on the rest of primary season and into the general election, according to fundraising totals provided by groups.

Charlie Kirk Suspect’s Preliminary Hearing Enters Fourth Day

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of fatally shooting conservative influencer Charlie Kirk will enter its fourth day Thursday with prosecutors nearing the end of their case.

Utah prosecutors plan to play audio clips in open court Thursday of law enforcement officials interviewing the roommate of the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Defense attorneys fought against the public release of the statements from Tyler Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs. They said prosecutors would characterize the statements as a confession, undermining Robinson’s right to a fair trial if the statements are broadcast by the media.

Wisconsin Headlines

JD Vance In Wisconsin: The War On Fraud

Vice President JD Vance spoke Wednesday, July 8th, in Milwaukee at the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 128th Air Refueling Wing. The Vice President focused primarily on the Trump administration’s efforts to combat government fraud and protect taxpayer-funded programs while also urging support for Republican candidates in upcoming elections.

Vice President Vance outlined multiple issues nationwide that have contributed to the greater fight against fraud. Namely, fraud in the durable medical equipment space, fraud having to do with the billing process for medical skin grafts, prenatal care benefits, as well as the H-1B Visa process. Vance stated, “We are not sanctioning a single one of these companies to defraud the American people.”

Crowley Drops Gubernatorial Bid

Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley today ended his campaign for governor, telling WisPolitics in a statement that it has become clear that he won’t be the Dem nominee.

Crowley, a former lawmaker, is the second Dem gubernatorial candidate to drop out of the race in the last few weeks. Like former WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, Crowley has trailed the top candidates in publicly released polling.

Hughes backed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez after dropping out. Crowley didn’t signal an intention to support one of his former Dem rivals in today’s statement.

7th CD GOP Candidates Debate Trump Agenda, Private Sector Experience

Michael Alfonso repeatedly touted the president’s support, Kevin Hermening and Jessi Ebben played up their private sector credentials, and Niina Baum sought to portray an independent streak in the only televised debate featuring the 7th CD GOP contenders.

The four GOP candidates met onstage in Rhinelander for the first and, at this time, only scheduled televised debate in the five-way primary. Late entrant Don Raihala was not invited to the debate, which was hosted by WJFW-TV and moderated by anchor Dan Hagen.

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow Dies Of Cancer

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow has died after a battle with cancer, the county announced Wednesday. He was 61.

Farrow was first elected to lead Waukesha County in 2015 and reelected in 2019 and 2023. In a statement announcing Farrow’s death, County Board Chair Jim Heinrich said he was heartbroken.

“Paul was a devoted public servant, a steady leader, and a proud champion for Waukesha County. He led with conviction and cared deeply about this community,” Heinrich said.

Former Milwaukee County Judge Sentenced For Obstruction

Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 8, 2026, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Hannah Dugan to pay a $5,000 fine for endeavoring to obstruct a pending proceeding before the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). The sentence came after a federal jury found Dugan guilty of that felony offense following a four-day trial in December 2025.

The trial evidence established the following: On April 18, 2025, six members of the DHS, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ICE ERO”) Task Force arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. Flores-Ruiz was charged with three domestic-violence related misdemeanors and was scheduled to appear in front of then Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Dugan. Flores-Ruiz was also previously removed from the United States and was in the country illegally. The ICE ERO task force officers had a lawful administrative warrant for his arrest, which directed that he be taken into custody for immigration proceedings. The task force officers intended to arrest Flores-Ruiz in the public hallway after his hearing, communicated the same to Dugan’s courtroom deputy prior to Dugan’s arrival, and identified themselves to courthouse security. They then waited quietly and unobtrusively in the public hallway. They were wearing plain clothes and were not wearing masks.