Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jun. 11, 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

Kuwait Closes Airspace, Israel Warns Of Launches From Lebanon After U.S Strikes In Iran

Kuwait closed its airspace citing “Iranian aggressions,” and intercepted projectiles. Israel warned of launches from Lebanon toward northern Israel. This comes after the U.S. struck multiple targets in Iran Wednesday.

Trump earlier said the U.S. will hit Iran “hard again today,” escalating his threats while pressing Tehran to sign a deal. The comments came hours after Trump warned on Truth Social that Iran had taken too long to negotiate and would now have to “pay the price.”

SpaceX Is Poised For Blastoff With An IPO Likely To Break Records

Elon Musk's mega-conglomerate SpaceX is about to launch an initial public offering of stock that is expected to break records — and soon the world will know just how historic that IPO is going to be.

In a June filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SpaceX said it is aiming to raise $75 billion by selling more than 555 million shares at an expected price of $135 each — but the amount raised could be bigger if the initial share price is set higher.

The listing price is expected to be revealed late Thursday, and the stock is expected to start trading publicly on Friday under the ticker SPCX.

The Democrat-Run City Where Teachers Are Effectively Forbidden From Giving Children An F, Even If They Can Barely Read Or Write

Two dozen teachers in Democrat-run Philadelphia have sounded the alarm on grade inflation - claiming they are effectively forbidden from failing students, even if they can barely read or write.

Many of the teachers who spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer said they passed students who did little to no work, did not understand the concepts being taught or did not show up to class much.

Some claimed they were discouraged or forbidden by their principals from failing students, saying when they did dole out failing grades, they were overridden by their administrators.

America's Birth Rate Has Plunged. Are Smartphones To Blame?

A decades-long decline in the U.S. fertility rate has confounded policymakers and economists alike, with experts pointing to possible causes ranging from the economic fallout of the Great Recession to changing public attitudes about parenthood. Now, one economist is pointing to another factor: the iPhone.

Knicks Complete Biggest NBA Finals Comeback Ever In Game 4 Win

The New York Knicks are one win away from their first NBA championship in 53 years after completing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

New York trailed the San Antonio Spurs by as many as 29 points Wednesday before a stirring second-half comeback saw them take a 3-1 lead in the series with a 107-106 win.

OG Annunoby put the Knicks ahead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the game before San Antonio failed to get a shot off with its final possession.

Wisconsin Headlines

Jessi Ebben Fails To Keep GOP, Democratic Rivals Off 7th Congressional District Primary Ballot

A Republican running for Wisconsin’s deep red 7th Congressional District has lost her attempt to keep two GOP challengers, including one endorsed by President Donald Trump, off the primary ballot in August.

Jessi Ebben claimed a new state law and an old form invalidated thousands of signatures for fellow Republicans Kevin Hermening and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s son-in-law, Michael Alfonso, but the commission unanimously disagreed.

Gov. Evers Highlights Record Tourism Growth In Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday highlighted Wisconsin's tourism industry after state officials reported 2025 set new records for visitation and economic impact.

Evers toured Sky Carp Stadium in Beloit, where he said events at the facility contribute to the $27 billion tourism generates for the state economy.

Half Of Businesses Worried About Property Taxes

It is not just homeowners in Wisconsin who are worried about their property tax bills.

The state’s largest business group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, on Tuesday released its latest Employer Survey that shows business owners are very concerned about rising property taxes in the state.

“Over half of the nearly 200 respondents (56%) said Wisconsin is headed in the wrong direction when asked, ‘Would you say that things here in Wisconsin are headed in the right or wrong direction?’,” the survey said. “Similarly, when asked, ‘How do Wisconsin’s state and local taxes impact your company’s ability to compete with businesses in other states,’ 51% said taxes weaken their competitiveness, while just 6% said they improve it.”

Bangstad Vows To Sue After Elections Commission Found He Failed To Make Gubernatorial Ballot

Minocqua Brewing Co. owner Kirk Bangstad told WisPolitics he will sue to force his way onto the gubernatorial ballot after the Elections Commission voted unanimously that he had failed to turn in enough signatures.

The commissioners didn’t discuss Bangstad’s nomination papers during yesterday’s hearing, lumping his case in with the 67 other candidates they found were ineligible for the fall ballot.

The commission staff’s initial review of Bangstad’s nomination papers found he had 1,504 valid signatures with 2,000 needed to qualify.

Wisconsin Football Building Elite D-Line Class As Commit Earns Fourth Star

Defensive line coach EJ Whitlow has gone severely underappreciated for his impact at Wisconsin.

The Badgers' defensive line coach for the past two years and change has been nothing but a pro's pro, handling business both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

He helped orchestrate a remarkably quick turnaround for Wisconsin's ailing run defense last fall, recruiting a handful of stud linemen in the portal and then coaching them into a top-15 rushing defense in the country.