Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

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

Children Who Have Smartphones By Age 12 Are At Increased Risk Of Health Problems, New Study Finds

Having a smartphone may be harmful for children younger than 12, according to a new study.

The study published Monday in the peer-reviewed journal Pediatrics found that owning a smartphone during early adolescence is associated with increased risks of mental health issues and obesity. As far as psychological impacts, it pinpointed higher incidences of depression and insufficient sleep among children who owned smartphones by ages 12 or younger, compared with others kids without the devices.

Samsung Launches Its First Multi-Folding Phone As Competition From Chinese Brands Intensifies

With Apple’s expected entry into the foldable segment, Samsung is positioning this device as a multi-fold pilot to reinforce its technology leadership.

The Galaxy Z TriFold features three panels and a large, 10-inch inner display.

Supreme Court Weighs Copyright Fight Between Music Industry And Internet Providers

The Supreme Court on Monday hears a billion-dollar case about whether internet providers can be liable for their users' committing copyright violations using its services.

The legal battle pits the music entertainment industry against Cox Communications, which provides internet to over 6 million residences and business.

Minnesota DHS Workers Accuse Gov. Walz Of Ignoring Fraud Warnings

Hundreds of Minnesota Department of Human Services employees are allegedly accusing Gov. Tim Walz on social media of ignoring early warnings about massive fraud and retaliating against whistleblowers in a scandal that allegedly funneled over $1 billion in taxpayer funds to fraudulent operations.

Under an X account claiming to represent 480 DHS workers, they say they alerted Walz to fraudulent billing schemes but faced monitoring, threats and repression rather than support.

Son Of ‘El Chapo’ Pleads Guilty In US Drug Trafficking Case In Deal With Prosecutors

A son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” pleaded guilty Monday to U.S. drug trafficking charges, months after his brother entered a plea deal.

Known locally in Mexico as the “Chapitos,” or “little Chapos,” Joaquin Guzman Lopez and his brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, are accused of running a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. Federal authorities in 2023 described the operation as a massive effort to send “staggering” quantities of fentanyl into the U.S.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin-Based Associated Bank To Merge With American National

Associated Banc-Corp and American National Corporation announced they have agreed to merge, creating a bank with a large Midwestern reach.

Based on Green Bay, Associated Bank says it has almost 200 branches in 100 communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. Omaha-based American National has 33 branches in Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa.

We Energies, 2 Other Utilities To Acquire 4 Renewable Energy Projects

We Energies and two other Wisconsin utilities will purchase four new renewable energy projects, expected to come online in the next few years. 

The Public Service Commission approved the purchases last week. According to We Energies, the projects account for 450 megawatts of solar, wind and battery storage, or enough to power more than 150,000 homes.

They include the Saratoga Solar Energy Center in Wood County, the Ursa Solar Park in Columbia County, the Badger Hollow Wind Farm in Iowa and Grant counties and the Whitetail Wind Farm in Grant County. The projects all had previous approvals from the PSC.

Wisconsin GOP Bill Would Require Catch Kits For At-Home Abortions

Wisconsin Republicans are circulating a bill that would require doctors prescribing at-home abortion pills to also give their patients catch kits, medical waste bags and instructions on how to return the medical waste afterwards.

“Anytime we’re pushing back against the abortion industry, there’s gonna be pushback,” State Rep. Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls, one of the bill’s sponsors, said.

Brill said she’s worried at-home abortion pills are contaminating Wisconsin’s waterways.

Wisconsin School Districts Spent More On Special Education, Now They’ll Be Reimbursed Less

Earlier this year, school leaders across Wisconsin asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to boost funding for special education services in public schools.

The biennial budget included a reimbursement rate from the long-standing 32 percent to 42 percent this year and 45 percent next year.

In exchange, public schools are not receiving an increase in general aid over the biennium.

Congressman Tom Tiffany Weighs-In On 2030 Census

Wisconsin’s congressman from the northwoods, and maybe future governor, is jumping into the debate over the next census.

Republican Tom Tiffany on Monday took to X to push for a citizens-only census in 2030.

“Only U.S. citizens in a community should be counted in the U.S. census so that only U.S. citizens have representation in the U.S. Congress. It’s that simple,” Tiffany wrote.

He was responding to a post from Democrat Pramila Jayapala. She posted on X that “every single resident of a community should be counted in the census so that everyone in that community— including U.S. citizens—have the resources they need. It’s that simple,” she wrote.