Morning Headlines - Thursday, Sept. 25, 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

GOP, Democrats Both See Incentives In A Shutdown That Looks Inevitable

Congressional lawmakers and their aides are bracing for a shutdown that appears inevitable after President Trump canceled a meeting planned for Thursday with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).

Senate Democrats have said they cannot vote for any House-passed government funding bill if GOP leaders refuse to sit down and talk with them, but Republicans say there’s nothing to negotiate, framing next week’s vote on a “clean” continuing resolution to keep the government open as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition.

Feds To Increase Security At ICE Buildings After Dallas Attack

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say the agency will immediately increase security at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities across the U.S. following Wednesday’s shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas.

A gunman killed one migrant detainee and seriously wounded two others during what DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called an attack “motivated by hatred for ICE.”

McLaughlin said the Texas incident is the latest in a string of “unprecedented acts of violence against ICE law enforcement,” which has included bomb threats, assaults and the online doxing of officers and their families.

U.S. Expands Tariff Dragnet To Masks, Syringes And Robotics In Sweeping Import Probe

The Trump administration has launched national security investigations into imports of robotics, industrial machinery and medical devices, a move that could pave the way for fresh tariffs.

The investigations also targeted imported medical equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds and devices used in medical diagnosis and treatment like pacemakers.

The Trump administration has already used the “Section 232” law to impose levies on automobiles and parts, copper, steel and aluminum.

Americans Will Soon Have Fingerprints Scanned When They Go To Most Of Europe

Americans traveling to Europe will soon have their fingerprints scanned and picture taken when they arrive in countries like France, Italy and Spain under new regulations being rolled out across the continent starting next month. Those who don't provide such biometric data will be told au revoir, arrivederci or adiós.

The change comes as the European Union rolls out its new Entry/Exit System for not just Americans but all visitors from outside Europe's Schengen Area, a group of countries that allows people in the zone to travel across borders freely without going through customs checks.

RFK Jr. Launches FDA Review Of Abortion Pill

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Republican states this week that the FDA would conduct a new review of abortion pills, a move that abortion rights advocates say could lead to significant restrictions on the most common abortion method nationwide.

New Governor Candidate Tom Tiffany Responds As Democrats Quickly Go After Him On Tariffs

The newest Republican to join the race for governor, just 24 hours ago, is already facing a campaign of attack ads from Democrats.

Congressman Tom Tiffany, who represents most of northern Wisconsin, is expected to address supporters Wednesday evening in Wausau as part of his campaign launch.

He’s also responding to the ads, which call out his record of supporting President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The general election is still more than a year away, but even as Tom Tiffany prepares to give his first campaign speech for governor, democrats are attempting to define him for voters, calling him Tariff Tom, one of President Trump’s biggest supporters.

“Well, you can tell who the leader is by who they attack, and they’re coming after me full-bore,” says Rep. Tiffany.

Former Democratic Lawmaker Brett Hulsey Launches Bid For Wisconsin Governor

Former state Rep. Brett Hulsey launched his campaign for Wisconsin governor on Wednesday.

“I am running for governor to make Wisconsin better for my family and yours. My grandkids and yours deserve the best schools, roads and clean lakes and beaches,” Hulsey wrote in a statement. “You should not have check a website to see if your beach is safe to swim.”

Wisconsin Republicans And Democrats Are Backing Election Bills. Just Not The Same Ones

In an unusual move, Assembly Republicans and Democrats stood shoulder-to-shoulder at a state Capitol news conference Wednesday to unveil a series of bills to update Wisconsin’s election laws.

The catch? They didn’t all support the same bills.

The idea, according to Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, is to meet “the moment” at a time of partisan division. She and other Democrats thanked Rep. Scott Krug, R-Rome, the vice-chair of the Assembly elections committee, for being open to good faith debate over how to shore up voting in Wisconsin.

Democratic State Lawmakers Introduce Package Of CWD Prevention Bills

With archery deer season underway and gun deer season less than two months away, two Democratic state lawmakers are introducing a package of bills to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD).

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, only eight out of 72 Wisconsin counties have not been affected by CWD. The neurological disease has been spreading through Wisconsin's deer population since at least 2002.

State Sen. Jeff Smith and Rep. Jenna Jacobson are introducing a package of bills aimed at fighting CWD.

Planned Parenthood Of Wisconsin Pauses Abortion Appointments Starting October 1

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will pause abortion appointments starting Oct. 1 following a federal appeals court decision that allowed a provision of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill to take effect.

The temporary hold affects the organization’s ability to serve patients after the court permitted a provision that bars clinics providing abortions from accepting Medicaid for other reproductive services.