Morning Headlines - Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 | 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

Charlie Kirk, A Mobilizing Force For Young Conservatives, Shot Dead At 31

Charlie Kirk, the influential conservative activist who co-founded Turning Point USA when he was 18 and went on to become a leading voice in President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, died Wednesday after he was shot at a political event in Utah.

Kirk, a popular podcast host and married father of two young children, was 31.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump announced on Truth Social.

Charlie Kirk Fury Explodes As Private Jet 'Vanishes' After Take-Off From Airport Just Five Miles From Shooting

The FBI is facing questions over an airport that was left open after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, with speculation brewing over a jet that could be linked to his murder.

Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Wednesday while speaking at a university event in Orem, Utah.

Despite a large-scale manhunt being launched for his killer, who has still yet to be found, authorities failed to close off the airspace surrounding Provo Airport.

The regional airport deals with domestic flights and is just a 10 minute drive from Utah Valley University where Kirk was speaking.

2 Students Wounded In Shooting At Evergreen High School In Colorado; Suspect Dead, Officials Say

Authorities said a boy opened fire with a handgun Wednesday at a high school near Denver, Colorado, wounding two students, before fatally shooting himself.

The shooting occurred just before 12:30 p.m. local time at Evergreen High School in the Colorado foothills, about 28 miles southwest of Denver, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The suspect was believed to be a student at the school, Jacki Kelley, a sheriff's office spokesperson, told reporters in a news briefing. His identity has not been released.

Consumer Prices Rose At Annual Rate Of 2.9% In August, As Weekly Jobless Claims Jump

Prices consumers pay for a variety of goods and services moved higher than expected in August while jobless claims accelerated, providing challenging economic signals for the Federal Reserve before its meeting next week.

The consumer price index posted a seasonally adjusted 0.4% increase for the month, double the prior month, putting the annual inflation rate at 2.9%, up 0.2 percentage point from the prior month and the highest reading since January. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for respective readings of 0.3% and 2.9%.

NPR's Next News Chief Built An International Career At CNN

NPR is poised to name a new news chief at a moment of uncertainty for the network, when it must adjust to the end of federal funding for public media on Sept. 30 — a move brought on by the Trump administration and Republican allies in Congress.

NPR has tapped Thomas Evans — widely called Tommy — a veteran of CNN's international coverage who reported on conflicts for more than two decades. He arrived at NPR a year ago to launch its editorial review desk. The desk is charged with helping the newsroom ensure that its reporting is fair, accurate and contextual — in every story on air and online, and in the full weight of NPR's coverage.

New Wisconsin Bill Would Limit The Use Of Emergency Powers By Local Government Leaders

The author of a bill that would limit the emergency powers of local government leaders said it’s needed to realign local policies with state law.

In extraordinary circumstances, the chief executive of a local government — like a mayor or county executive — can declare an emergency and take many actions without input from other local leaders. The new bill would limit that executive’s authority to 60 days before needing an extension by other local government officials, like a city council.

Gov. Evers Announces $50 Million For Wisconsin Infrastructure Projects

Gov. Tony Evers has announced the next round of grant funding for infrastructure projects, totaling $50 million.

The program previously received more than 250 applications and awarded funding to more than 50 community projects, including health centers and libraries.

Prison Sentence For Man Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter Related To Vehicular Crash On Menominee Indian Reservation

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 5, 2025, Desmond Waukau (age: 22), an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and former resident of Keshena, received a 42-month prison sentence following a conviction for involuntary manslaughter.

The sentence, imposed by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by the defendant on May 30, 2025. Waukau will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.

Neenah Man Indicted For Child Pornography Production

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on September 9, 2025, a federal grand jury issued a two-count indictment alleging that Jeffrey J. Haskell (age: 26), of Neenah, Wisconsin, used minor children to produce child pornography.

According to the indictment, on or about January 11, 2025, and again on or about January 24, 2025, Jeffrey J. Haskell “knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced” minor children for the purpose of “producing a visual depiction” of the minors engaged in “sexually explicit conduct.”

Wisconsin Leaders Speak Out On Charlie Kirk Shooting, Condemn Violence

Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University, which is in the town of Orem, about 40 minutes south of Salt Lake City.

Wisconsin political leaders are absolutely in shock over this shooting, offering up prayers and support for Charlie Kirk’s family.

This includes Congressman Tony Wied, who found out while awaiting a vote on the House floor in the nation’s capital. Wied is now calling for people to tone down their rhetoric in regards to this political violence.