Morning Headlines - Thursday, June 19, 2025

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

Trump Approves Iran Attack Plan But Has Not Made Final Decision, Reports Say

Donald Trump has approved plans to attack Iran, but has not made a final decision on whether to strike the country, the BBC's US partner CBS reports.

The US president held off from initiating strikes in case Iran agreed to abandon its nuclear programme, a senior intelligence source told CBS. Trump is reportedly considering a US strike on Fordo, an underground uranium enrichment facility in Iran.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected Trump's demand for unconditional surrender, as the US president said his patience had run out.

On Wednesday, Trump said, "I may do it, I may not do it", when asked a question about US involvement in Iran.

Trump Talk Of Joining Iran-Israel Conflict Unnerves Lawmakers In Both Parties

Senators in both parties are growing increasingly nervous about the possibility that President Trump could insert the United States directly in the Israel-Iran war with a decision to bomb Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

It’s not clear whether Trump has made a decision himself on an issue that divides his own party and the MAGA movement. On Wednesday, he said, “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

How Trump's Threats To Abandon Ukraine War Pose Battlefield Conundrums For Kyiv

President Donald Trump -- frustrated by the failure of his diplomatic efforts to date -- has raised the prospect of entirely abandoning U.S. engagement in Russia's 3-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

"Sometimes you see two young children fighting in the park," Trump said in June about the ongoing war, which is the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

"Sometimes you're better off letting them fight more before you pull them apart," the president added -- his remarks the latest in several months of public skepticism over the U.S. continuing to back Ukraine.

SpaceX Rocket Being Tested In Texas Explodes, But No Injuries Reported

A SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas exploded Wednesday night, sending a dramatic fireball high into the sky.

The company said the Starship "experienced a major anomaly" at about 11 p.m. while on the test stand preparing for the tenth flight test at Starbase, SpaceX's launch site at the southern tip of Texas.

"A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for," SpaceX said in a statement on the social platform X.

Google Looks Likely To Lose Appeal Against Record $4.7 Billion EU Fine

The European Court of Justice’s advocate general on Thursday proposed that Google’s appeal against a record 4.1-billion-euro ($4.7 billion) antitrust fine be dismissed.

The fine relates to a long-running antitrust case surrounding Google’s Android operating system.

It was reduced in 2022 to 4.125 billion euros from 4.34 billion euros previously by the EU’s General Court.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Republican Proposes Term Limits For State Legislature, Constitutional Offices

A Republican lawmaker in the Wisconsin Legislature wants to limit how long politicians can serve in state government.

Rep. Duke Tucker (R-Grantsburg) is sponsoring a constitutional amendment that would introduce term limits for state senators, assembly members and constitutional officers.

"These offices are not intended to be held for a lifetime," Tucker said in a memo to his colleagues. "We should promote the exchange of new ideas and perspectives in the Capitol building."

He is proposing limiting people to serving eight years in a particular role.

Sen. Ron Johnson Challenges President Trump’s Bill In 30-Page Budget Report

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is sounding the alarm on the future of the nation’s finances, advocating for deeper cuts in spending.

The senator released a 30-page report challenging President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”, saying that the bill could dig the country into a bigger financial hole.

Sen. Johnson believes it’s time to face the facts and the numbers.

State Senate Passes Bill Creating New Felony Charges For Rioters, Making It Easier To Sue For Property Damage

The Wisconsin Senate approved legislation Wednesday to create new felony charges for people who organize, or cause injuries during a riot, while also making it easier to sue those who cause property damage during those events.

GOP supporters say stronger penalties are needed amid an increase in “violent riots” since 2020. Democratic opponents say it will chill free speech.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, who told his colleagues during a floor debate that it “draws a line between a protest and a riot.” Feyen said the right to peacefully protest will remain protected in Wisconsin, but when events turn into riots, “they leave behind lasting damage and a long, costly road to recovery” that residents and business owners have to navigate.

Assembly Approves Portable Benefits Legislation

The Assembly today approved with bipartisan support a bill to create portable benefit accounts for contract employees of companies like DoorDash and Uber, despite some Dems’ concerns it wouldn’t do enough to protect those workers’ rights.

AB 269 passed 56-36 in the Assembly, with four Democrats joining Republicans in support. The bill, now headed to the Senate, aims to give gig industry workers, including delivery and personal transportation drivers, access to benefits including health insurance, retirement savings, dental and vision insurance, replacement of lost income, and occupational accident insurance.

Wisconsin AFL-CIO opposes the bill, noting it stipulates app-based workers would not be considered employees.

Wisconsin Labor Reforms: Ending The Rule Of Two

Republican lawmakers hope to finally end the labor unions’ “rule of two” in Wisconsin, which limits each journeyman to one apprentice, restricting the labor supply and driving up the cost of construction.

AB 241 would allow journeymen to take on two apprentices. It’s a modest change, given that other states allow journeymen to take on even more apprentices depending on the trade. In Michigan, electricians can have three apprentices and for other trades there is no state imposed limit at all.

Recently, construction companies in Wisconsin have started to ask lawmakers to increase the ratio so they can expand their training programs. For them, going from one to two apprentices for each journeyman is a big deal.