Morning Headlines - Thursday, Sept. 18, 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

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air After Comments Made About The Charlie Kirk Killing

ABC announced Wednesday it's pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air indefinitely. The sudden move followed threats from the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to the stations that carry the show, and backlash to comments Kimmel made this week about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

An ABC spokesperson told NPR Wednesday evening that "Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely."

Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect's Conditions For Surrender Had To Be 'Gentle': Sheriff

Tyler Robinson, the suspect who was charged in the shooting of Charlie Kirk, was apprehended in what needed to be "gentle" conditions when he turned himself in to authorities, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

At 8:02 p.m. on Sept. 11, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said he received a call from a retired detective, with Brooksby saying he "couldn't fathom" what would come "out of his mouth."

He told Brooksby, "I know who Charlie Kirk's shooter is," the sheriff said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Here Are Five Key Takeaways From The Fed’s Big Interest Rate Decision

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered on a widely anticipated quarter percentage point interest rate cut that will take its benchmark down to a target range of 4%-4.25%, its lowest in nearly three years. In addition, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee provided signals of what’s down the road.

Here are five key takeaways from the meeting along with Chair Jerome Powell’s news conference:

Trump Announces He's Designating Antifa As A "Major Terrorist Organization"

President Trump announced Wednesday that he will designate antifa as a terrorist organization, and is recommending investigations into people who allegedly fund it.

It's unclear when the designation will take place, or what legal implications it will have. Antifa — short for anti-fascist — is a loose affiliation of mostly left-leaning activists, and generally is not considered to be a highly organized group.

Americans Could Be Healthier Without Daylight Saving Time, Study Suggests

If you already dread changing the clocks, a new study from sleep researchers at Stanford Medicine may have you researching a move to Hawaii or Arizona, the two states that do not observe daylight saving time.

While data has long tied daylight saving time to annual jumps in heart attacks and car crashes, for instance, the study puts the potential health consequences of the current time policy in real numbers.

Models showed that switching to permanent standard time, for instance, would result in some 2.6 million fewer people diagnosed with obesity, and roughly 300,000 fewer stroke cases annually. Permanently shifting to daylight saving time – meaning that we wouldn’t turn our clocks back on Nov. 2 – would have roughly two-thirds of the same benefits, according to the study.

State Rep. Francesca Hong Enters 2026 Race For Wisconsin Governor

A Democratic state lawmaker who is promising to be a “wild card” joined Wisconsin’s open race for governor on Sept. 17, saying she will focus on a progressive agenda to benefit the working class.

State Rep. Francesca Hong, who lives in the liberal capital city of Madison, is embracing her outsider status. In addition to serving in the state Assembly, Hong works as a bartender, dishwasher and line cook. As a single mother struggling with finding affordable housing, she said she is uniquely relatable as a candidate.

New Bipartisan Bill Aims To Bring Back 988 Services For LGBTQ+ Youth

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is trying to put a 988 crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth into law to help tackle an ongoing mental health crisis.

Sen. Baldwin is co-authoring a bill with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to bring back the 988 services for the LGBTQ+ youth.

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump eliminated the special service in July.

Baldwin was part of the team that authored the bill establishing the 988 hotline by creating a memorable phone number for people contemplating suicide.

Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Says He Received Death Threats After His Comments On LGBTQ+ Flag

Wisconsin state Rep. Jerry O’Connor said he received several death threats over his comments in support of a bill that would block gay pride flags from being flown at state buildings.

O’Connor, a Republican from Fond du Lac, told WPR one of the threats said he needed to be “Charlie Kirk’d.”

The bill, which passed the Wisconsin Assembly on a party-line vote Sept. 11, would prohibit most flags from being flown on state buildings, aside from the U.S., Wisconsin and state agency flags. It would also exempt flags honoring veterans, tribal nations and flags of other states and nations flown for ceremonial purposes.

Republicans Try Again With University Of Wisconsin Free Speech Standards

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are trying again with a new set of free speech rules at UW campuses.

Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, on Tuesday re-introduced legislation that would “establish freedom of expression and academic freedom standards” on all of the university’s campuses.

“Students routinely face viewpoint hostility from peers and faculty, forcing many to self-censor or fear academic retaliation. This bill will ensure that free speech is not stifled on our college campuses," Nedweski said in a statement.

Former State Lawmaker, Charged With Fraud, Left Nearly 2.7M Pounds Of Hazardous Waste

State environmental regulators say cleanup of hazardous electronic waste is complete in connection with a multi-year federal fraud case involving a former state lawmaker and Wisconsin recycling firm.

Ladysmith-based 5R Processors, which is no longer operating, processed electronic waste at facilities in Wisconsin and Tennessee. That waste included cathode ray tubes from televisions and computers, which contain high levels of lead. State and federal agencies investigated 5R and spinoff companies for illegal storage, transport and disposal of crushed leaded glass at facilities in Ladysmith, Glen Flora, Catawba and West Bend.