Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Supreme Court Will Consider Special Counsel's Request To Rule On Trump's Immunity In Jan. 6 Case

Special counsel Jack Smith's team has asked the Supreme Court to step in and decide the issue of presidential immunity regarding former President Donald Trump's federal election interference charges.

Hours after Smith filed his request Monday, the court said it would consider the request on an expedited basis.

"Petitioner's motion to expedite consideration of the petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment is granted, and respondent is directed to file a response to the petition on or before 4 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, December 20, 2023," the court wrote. The response does not mean the court will take up the case -- only that it will consider the request in an expedited fashion.

House GOP Impeachment Inquiry Reaches Pivotal Week

The impeachment probe into President Biden is notching up in intensity this week, with House Republicans set to take an official vote authorizing the inquiry, plus new charges against Hunter Biden and a battle to get him to appear in a closed-door deposition Wednesday.

The inquiry vote serves not only to bolster the House GOP’s legal arguments to compel testimony, but signals that the march toward impeachment — a move encouraged by former President Trump — will be a much more prominent issue for Republicans in the coming months and as the 2024 election cycle heats up.

Getting the resolution over the finish line in the razor-thin House GOP majority is the first task for GOP leaders. With all Democrats expected to vote against the resolution, they can afford to lose no more than three Republicans and still win the vote, assuming full attendance.

Hunter Biden Files Motion To Dismiss Indictment On Gun Charges

Lawyers for Hunter Biden filed motions in federal court Monday to dismiss federal firearms charges filed against him in Delaware, arguing the charges are "unprecedented, unconstitutional" and violated a diversion agreement set in July.

In one of the several court filings, Hunter Biden's legal counsel claimed that the diversion agreement, which required him to refrain from drug and alcohol use and prohibited the purchase and possession of a firearm, among other conditions in exchange for the government's agreement not to prosecute, is legally binding and still valid. The government maintains that this agreement, along with a plea deal related to tax charges, collapsed in July.

Senate Immigration Negotiators Doubt They'll Get A Deal To Unlock Ukraine Aid This Week

The top two senators negotiating an immigration deal cautioned Monday that the clock is ticking and they may not be able to reach an agreement this week before the Senate is scheduled to adjourn for the rest of the year.

That means President Joe Biden's package of aid to Ukraine and Israel could falter with it, with the debate slipping into an election year that will make it even harder to secure a bipartisan agreement.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is leading the discussions for Republicans, said he still believes negotiators are “making progress” but cautioned that “every day” that goes by without a deal “makes it more complicated” to reach one.

Arizona's Supreme Court To Hear Case On State's 1864 Abortion Ban

The Arizona State Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments Tuesday over whether a centuries-old near-total abortion ban will be reinstated.

Currently, abortion is banned at 15 weeks or later in Arizona. Patients are required to make two appointments, the first for an in-person counseling session and the second at least 24 hours later for the abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that focuses on sexual and reproductive health.

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, ending a federally protected right to have an abortion and giving states the right to make their own laws, Arizona providers weren't sure which abortion law took precedent.

Wisconsin Headlines

Evers Says He’d Veto Bill That Would Abolish Wisconsin Elections Commission

Gov. Tony Evers says he would veto a GOP bill that abolishes the Wisconsin Elections Commission and transfers election authority to Wisconsin’s secretary of state.

“Under no circumstances, simple as that,” Evers said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “It’s ridiculous, I have to put it that way. Moving it to the secretary of state and having the secretary of state essentially be overseen by the Legislature, that’s a non-starter. We’ve got a good system. We’ve got a good leader in the system, and I’m going to veto anything that moves us in a different direction.”

Evers appointed Democrat Sarah Godlewski as secretary of state after Doug LaFollette stepped down.

“I think she’s a very capable person, but we have a good system now,” Evers said. “I want to keep it.”

Vos Says He's Finished Negotiating With Uw Over Pay Raises, Diversity Positions

Wisconsin’s top Republican lawmaker said Dec. 11 that he is finished negotiating with the Universities of Wisconsin over a deal that would have given the university system’s employees a pay raise and paid for the construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The UW Board of Regents rejected the deal in a hastily called special meeting on Dec. 9 after regents voiced concerns about its targeting of DEI efforts. The regents are meeting again on Dec. 12 in closed session to “deliberate and negotiate funding proposals and matters.”

Man Charged In Fourth Of July Parade Shooting Plans To Represent Himself At Trial

The man accused of killing seven people at a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago last year fired his public defenders on Monday and said he plans to represent himself at trial, slated to start in February.

Robert Crimo III is charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery for the shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. Dozens, including children, were injured.

Several times, Judge Victoria Rossetti asked if Crimo understood the possible penalties — including consecutive life sentences — if a jury finds him guilty. She suggested he reconsider his choice to represent himself.

New Laws Aim To Make It Easier For Counselors, Physician Assistants To Practice In Multiple States

Wisconsin is moving forward with changes that would make it easier for people to get professional licenses that are valid in multiple states.

Last week, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill into law that makes Wisconsin the third state to join an interstate credentialing agreement for physician assistants.

Once at least four more states sign on, the compact would allow Wisconsin PAs to apply to practice in any of the states that belong to the compact.

Supporters say the changes would streamline credentialing for providers who move, practice travel medicine or for those who live in border communities.

Devito Leads Clutch Drive To Bullock's Winning Kick As New York Giants Top Green Bay Packers 24-22

The New York Giants had the ball late in the game, with a chance to rally for an improbable win.

That's when Tommy DeVito delivered — again.

DeVito threw a 32-yard pass to Wan'Dale Robinson to set up Randy Bullock's 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Giants beat Green Bay 24-22 on Monday night to hand the Packers their first December loss since Matt LaFleur took over as coach in 2019.