Morning Headlines - Thursday, Sep. 3, 2026 | Recent News

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

Chevron Plans $7 Billion Venezuela Investment To Double Oil Production

Chevron said on Wednesday that it plans to invest $7 billion in Venezuela over the next five years and double its oil production in the country after receiving additional acreage in the crude-rich Orinoco Belt region.

Chevron, the only U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela, said the investment will allow it to boost production to about 600,000 barrels a day, twice its current capacity, according to a statement.

NBA Announces Punishments For Clippers After Kawhi Inquiry

The NBA on Wednesday announced severe punishments for the LA Clippers -- including the loss of five future first-round draft picks, a fine of $30 million and a yearlong suspension of owner Steve Ballmer -- for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving star Kawhi Leonard.

In a statement, the NBA said a near-yearlong investigation "found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules."

As a result, the Clippers must forfeit first-round draft picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033. In addition to the $30 million fine, Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year.

Minneapolis Apartment Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Officers Hurt

A shooting at an apartment building in downtown Minneapolis Wednesday left three dead, including the shooter, and several people injured, including three law enforcement officers.

The 911 call came just after 4:30 p.m. When officers arrived just moments later, they found gunshot victims and heard gunfire from an upper floor. Following the sound, officers found a haze that significantly limited visibility on the floor.

In the incident, one officer was shot in the leg, while another suffered two shots to the abdomen.

Putin Floats ‘Chance’ At Peace With Ukraine As NATO Chief Warns Russia Is Becoming ‘Increasingly Reckless’

Putin said there was a “chance” for peace, while insisting Russia and Ukraine must resolve the conflict themselves.

He called Kyiv’s warning to airlines to avoid Russian airspace “state terrorism.”

NATO’s Rutte warned Russia is becoming “increasingly reckless” as Ukraine deepens drone strikes.

UN Warns Of 'Very Strong' El Nino This Year, Carrying Threat Of Severe Weather

El Nino is forecast to become "very strong" in the coming months, raising the risk of extreme weather into 2027, the World Meteorological Organization said on Thursday.

"El Niño is being supersized before our eyes," U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement. "The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and those waters are heating up."

The WMO, a U.N. agency, said that sea surface temperatures are rising and temperatures keep climbing. In August, global sea surface temperatures reached an all-time high, according to data analyzed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Wisconsin Doctors Stress Importance Of Recognizing Postpartum Depression As Lindsay Clancy Trial Continues

As the Lindsay Clancy trial continues deliberation, it's highlighting the mental health complications that many women face throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

Doctors in Wisconsin say it's a problem that can't be ignored. Childbirth can be a challenging time for any parent.

"Nobody has an instruction booklet, the parent's sort of overwhelmed and alone," said Dr. Alpa Shah, a Marshfield Clinic perinatal psychiatrist. "I remember when our first one was born and my husband said 'I've never bought anything without an instruction booklet, but here I am with this newborn and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.'"

Wisconsin Lawmaker Proposes Screen-Free Classrooms For Young Students

State Rep. David Steffen is pushing new legislation that would make classrooms screen-free for students from pre-K through second grade.

The proposal follows a national push to limit technology in schools. Wisconsin banned cell phone usage in schools this year.

James Madison Middle School Principal Poyee Xiong said the school went “bell to bell” without phones last year.

“Last year, it was actually the first year we went bell to bell, no phones, and it was fine. We received great support from families and the students did great following that initiative,” Xiong said.

‘Natural’ American Cheese? Wisconsin Company Says It’s Made A Low-ingredient Alternative

American cheese is known in the industry as processed pasteurized cheese. That perfect melt is part of why the product has remained popular since Kraft first debuted its cheese slices in the 1950s.

But like other foods popular in the Space Age — Jell-O salads, TV dinners and Tang — American cheese is regarded as a highly processed, highly artificial food. As more brands strive to promote their foods as healthy or “natural,” the additives in American cheese have kept it stuck in the past.

Now, Wisconsin-based cheese company Sargento hopes to update the processed classic to reflect how consumers are eating today. The company debuted its natural American cheese on store shelves last year.

Wisconsin To Host Hockey Doubleheader At Lambeau Field In February 2027

The Wisconsin Badgers will host a men's and women's doubleheader hockey game at Lambeau Field this winter.

The University of Wisconsin announced the game, called the "Frozen Tundra Faceoff," with the men's team facing the Michigan Wolverines and the women's team facing the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both gameas will be on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027.

It will be the first hockey game held at Lambeau Field in more than two decades.

Crowley, Tiffany To Meet In Oct. 21 Debate

Gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany will meet Oct. 21 for a debate hosted by WISN-TV in partnership with WisPolitics-State Affairs, the network announced.

Tiffany’s campaign said it had been focused on getting details of the WISN-TV debate finalized and was still considering other invitations. Crowley’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on other offers for the GOP congressman from Minocqua and the Milwaukee County executive to meet.

WTMJ-TV has invited the campaigns to participate in a debate Oct. 8, while the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association announced plans for one Oct. 9.

The number of debates in statewide campaigns has dwindled in recent cycles.