Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jun. 9, 2022

U.S. and World Headlines

Biden Takes Aim At Republicans, Trump During Appearance On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

President Joe Biden appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for his first network interview in 118 days on Wednesday night.

The president kicked off his first in-person appearance on a late-night talk show by discussing gun control efforts with comedian and host Jimmy Kimmel. Biden wasted no time in taking aim at Republicans saying, "A lot of it is intimidation by the NRA. Look, this is not your father's Republican Party. This is a MAGA party."

Jan. 6 Panel To Put Trump At Center Of ‘Coordinated, Multistep Effort’ To Overturn Election

The Jan. 6 committee will rely on recorded testimony from former Trump officials and even family members of the ex-president as it uses its first prime-time hearing to connect Donald Trump to the riot at the Capitol and the broader effort to keep him in power.

The 8 p.m. hearing is the committee’s first public event in months and represents a chance to share some of what it has learned from interviews with more than 1,000 people.

House Passes Package Of Gun Control Bills In Response To Buffalo And Uvalde Shootings

The Democrat-led House on Wednesday passed legislation that tightens the nation's gun laws, as lawmakers in both chambers mount a response to a pair of mass shootings in New York and Texas that jolted the nation.

The legislation passed mainly along party lines 223-204, with five Republicans joining all but two of the Democrats.;

What Larry Nassar Did: Sick Sex Crimes Carried Out Under Guise Of Medical Treatment

Larry Nassar used his position as team doctor of the US women’s national gymnastics team to commit a number of sick sex crimes.

The disgraced physician is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexual assault.

In the latest update on the case, a number of women who were sexually assaulted by Nassar are planning to sue the FBI for as much as $1 billion.

But what did Nassar do?

Over 40 Percent Of Americans Now Rate Gun Violence As A Top Issue

How concerned Americans were about crime and/or gun violence did vary quite a bit by party, though, as Democrats and independents drove much of the shift.

A solid majority of Democrats, 58 percent, named the issue as a top concern, up from 33 percent in early May, while 41 percent of independents said the same, up from 19 percent. Republicans also became more worried about crime and/or gun violence, but the uptick was much smaller, going from 19 percent in May to 29 percent now.

Wisconsin Headlines

Michels Pledges To Address Stocks That Could Pose Conflicts Of Interest If Elected

Tim Michels’ campaign says the construction exec would address any holdings that could provide a conflict of interest if he’s elected guv after WisPolitics.com identified ownership of a half-dozen stocks with companies that have contracts with the state.

The holdings include Madison-based Exact Sciences and the Michels Corp., the company his family owns. The six have a combined $1.6 billion in contracts with the state, according to WisPolitics.com search of a database.

Wisconsin Senate Leader Says Republicans Will 'Gavel Out' Of Special Session

Wisconsin's Senate majority leader says the legislature will immediately gavel out of special session Governor Tony Evers announced with the purpose of repealing the state's abortion ban. 

“Wisconsin law has not changed and our pro-life position has not changed. Killing innocent babies is not healthcare,” Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said in a statement.

Another Wisconsin City Looks To Ban Conversion Therapy, LGBTQ Activists Want Statewide Ban

The city of La Crosse is considering a ban on conversion therapy.

If passed, it would join 13 other Wisconsin cities with bans in place. This includes Appleton, Cudahy, Eau Claire, Glendale, Madison, West Allis, Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Shorewood, Superior, Kenosha and Sun Prairie.

Conversion therapy is an effort to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice is widely rejected by the medical community and has harmful impacts on the LGBTQ community, especially the youth.

Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation In Oconto County, Wis.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer involved critical incident (OICI) in the Township of Oconto, Wis. that occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Beginning at approximately 2:41 p.m., multiple 911 calls were received by Oconto County Dispatch reporting a reckless driver on Interstate 41. At approximately 2:52 p.m., an Oconto County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle matching that description and made contact with the vehicle on the side of Interstate 41 in the area of Frog Pond Road.

The Sheriff’s Deputy recognized the driver exited the vehicle already injured and while tending to the driver’s injuries, a passenger of the same vehicle, who was armed with a knife, exited the vehicle. The passenger approached the Sheriff’s Deputy and refused to comply with commands. The Sheriff’s Deputy discharged their weapon, striking the passenger. First aid was rendered; however, the subject died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

Wisconsin Farmers Are Experiencing Record High Milk Prices, But For How Long?

Dairy farmers in Wisconsin and across the country have been enjoying record high milk prices this spring. But some market experts say producers should already start thinking about the next market downturn.

The milk used for making cheese, which is called Class III by the Federal Milk Marketing Order and establishes a minimum milk price, saw its price hit an all-time high in March. At $25.21 per hundredweight, or 100 pounds of milk, last month’s price was $6.25 higher than May 2021 and 61 cents higher than the previous record high price set in September 2014.