Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

US Credit Downgrade Is GOP’s Latest Salvo Against ‘Bidenomics’

Republicans are seizing on the recent downgrade to the nation’s credit rating as their latest salvo against “Bidenomics.”

In the days since the Fitch Ratings — one of the “Big Three” credit rating agencies — downgraded the U.S. rating, Republicans have pinned blame on White House spending for the credit downgrade.

“The Fitch Ratings credit downgrade is a wake-up call that Bidenomics doesn’t work,” Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) wrote in an Aug. 3 post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Congress must assert its power of the purse to resolve this concern and restore faith in U.S. financial institutions.”

Joe Biden’s Brand Is Being Tested Like Never Before

President Joe Biden’s brand as a family-oriented public servant has been a signature political asset that for more than 50 years has helped him win the argument that, when judged against “the alternative” rather than “the Almighty,” he stacks up pretty well.

He’s never lost to a general-election opponent in a political career that’s taken him from Delaware’s New Castle County Council to the Oval Office.

But the burnish on Biden’s brand is being tested like never before, ahead of a close 2024 election. Some of the president’s Democratic allies are worried about potential fallout from a confluence of family drama that’s spilled into public view and from Republican attacks that cut at the bedrock of Biden’s longtime political appeal.

Numb To Trump: Data Shows Drop In Scandal Interest

The public's attention to former President Trump's legal drama has declined with each subsequent indictment, according to new data pulled across television, social media and search activity.

Despite the unprecedented criminal charges against a former president, the shock is starting to wear off — for now.

Americans have turned to Google in droves to find information about Trump and the topic of "indictment" with every new case.

How Ohio’s Ballot Vote Could Preview The 2024 Politics Of Abortion

The ballot initiative Ohio voters will decide Tuesday is likely to demonstrate again the continuing public resistance to last year’s Supreme Court decision ending the nationwide constitutional right to abortion – while also offering an early indication about how broadly that backlash may benefit Democrats in the 2024 election.

Ohio voters are facing a measure placed on the ballot by state Republicans that would require future initiatives to change the state Constitution to receive 60% of the vote to be approved. The change would apply to amendments on all subjects, but the campaign has become a proxy test of attitudes about abortion in the state.

Mega Millions Jackpot Estimated At Record $1.55 Billion For Tuesday's Drawing

The jackpot for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing is estimated to be $1.55 billion, a record high for the lottery and among the largest-ever U.S. drawings.

The drawing, which is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET, tops Mega Millions' previous high of $1.537 billion, according to the lottery. A single ticket sold in South Carolina won that prize.

Wisconsin Headlines

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler Responds To Supreme Court Vote Restricting Power

On Friday, liberal justices voted to restrict the current powers granted to the court's chief justice, Annette Ziegler.

The vote introduced a committee that would spread Ziegler's responsibilities as Chief Justice among two other court justices, making the court's administrative meetings open to the public after a Republican majority closed them in 2012.

The vote came three days after Wisconsin's Supreme Court switched to liberal control with the addition of Justice Janet Protasiewicz.

It was one of two decisions the liberal majority stated were made to create more transparency among the court, emphasizing a need for more inclusive decision-making.

These 7 Candidates Are Currently Eligible For The Republican Presidential Debate In Milwaukee

In just a couple weeks, Republican presidential hopefuls will take the debate stage in Milwaukee.

David Young of Delavan knows he’ll vote Republican in 2024, but he says he has yet to decide who he wants to be on the ballot.

"We haven't really talked about any of the candidates,” he said.

“How pivotal are the debates going to be in making that decision?” TMJ4 reporter Ben Jordan asked.

"It's a very important debate because what's going on now isn't working,” Young replied.

"Let's just say if I had a dollar for every person that asked me about the debate I would be a very wealthy person,” said Hilario Deleon.

Houses Of Worship Would Be Exempt From Emergency Orders Under Proposed Constitutional Amendment

Churches and other houses of worship would not have to close their doors during states of emergency under a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin state Constitution.

The amendment would update the religious freedom section of the state Constitution to say houses of worship are exempt from state of emergency orders at the national, state or local levels.

It would mean the government can't close or forbid gatherings in places of worship during events such as severe weather, political unrest or public health emergencies like a pandemic.

Attorney General Kaul Moves For Final Judgment In Abortion Case

Attorney General Josh Kaul today filed a motion and brief asking the Dane County Circuit Court to enter final judgment confirming what the court already recognized in its July ruling: that Wis. Stat. § 940.04 does not criminalize abortion.

“Women should not be denied the freedom to make fundamental reproductive health-care decisions,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Our filing today marks another important step in our fight to protect the freedom and safety of women in Wisconsin.”

Why Big Ten Should Adopt A 10-Game Conference Schedule For 18 Teams In 2024

How will the Big Ten schedule change this time?

Good question. The Big Ten expanded to 18 teams for 2024 with the addition of Washington and Oregon last week.

What does that mean for the Big Ten schedule?

That is one of the questions considering the conference unveiled its Flex Protect Plus nine-game schedule for the 2024 season. That featured uneven protected rivalries from school to school. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported the schedule will not change drastically despite the addition of the Ducks and Huskies.