Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

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

2,000 Federal Agents Deploying To Minneapolis In Immigration Crackdown, Fraud Probe

The Trump administration has begun a massive deployment of hundreds of Department of Homeland Security agents to the Twin Cities area as it escalates its federal crackdown amid a widening fraud scandal in Minnesota, multiple law enforcement officials familiar with the plan told CBS News.

The crackdown could involve roughly 2,000 agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deportation branch and Homeland Security Investigations, the agency's investigative arm tasked with fighting transnational crimes, the officials said. They requested anonymity to discuss operations that have not been publicly announced.

GOP Fears Trump’s Foray Into Nation-Building In Venezuela

Republicans are worried that President Trump may embrace a new round of nation-building in Venezuela, something he renounced earlier in his political career.

The prospect of the United States taking over Venezuela is sparking a backlash from MAGA allies, and lawmakers in both parties have many questions about the level of U.S. military involvement and whether billions of taxpayer dollars will be needed to rebuild Venezuela’s infrastructure, something that Trump says needs a major upgrade.

Flu Surges In 45 States As Doctor Visits Reach Highest Level In Nearly 30 Years

Doctors’ visits for flu-like symptoms — fevers, sore throat, extreme fatigue and body aches — have hit the highest level in nearly 30 years and are likely to continue to rise in the coming weeks. At least 5,000 people have died this season, including nine children.

For the week ending Dec. 27, the CDC reported that nearly 1 in 10 outpatient visits nationwide — 8.2% — were for flu-like illnesses.

Grok's Bikini-Clad Images Raise Legal Red Flags

Elon Musk’s X faces regulatory probes in Europe, India and Malaysia after its Grok chatbot began generating deepfake explicit images, some depicting child sex abuse.

British media watchdog Ofcom also said it’s requested information from X concerning the Grok issues.

In the U.S., the National Center for Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is calling on the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the matter.

Corporation For Public Broadcasting Shutting Down After 58 Years

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shutting down its operations after 58 years, the nonprofit announced.

The organization said the decision “follows Congress’s rescission of all of CPB’s federal funding and comes after sustained political attacks that made it impossible for CPB to continue operating as the Public Broadcasting Act intended.”

Wisconsin Headlines

Maria Lazar And Chris Taylor Face Off In The 2026 Election For An Open Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat

The 2026 race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat will have the same intensity and partisan focus as the state’s last two high court elections, but its ideological balance is not at stake, so it’s not clear if spending or turnout will approach the record-setting levels as the 2023 and 2025 elections.

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor announced she was running in May 2025, when it still appeared incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley might run for another 10-year term. In August, though, Bradley announced she would not seek another term. At the beginning of October, Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar announced her candidacy.

Congressman Tiffany Visits School District Of Crandon, Highlights Reauthorization Of Secure Rural Schools

Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) visited the School District of Crandon to meet with school administrators, teachers, and students to discuss the recent reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program.

The visit followed the passage of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which passed the U.S. House in December with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18th. Congressman Tiffany was a cosponsor of this legislation, which provides critical funding to rural school districts and communities impacted by federal land ownership.

How Much Is Wrongful Incarceration Worth? Bill Would Increase Compensation

A proposal advancing in Wisconsin would dramatically increase what the Wisconsin Claims Board can pay to people who went to prison for crimes they did not commit.

State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, cited Lugo’s experience when introducing the bill, which advanced to committee hearings with bipartisan support last month. Rodriguez said she was contacted by Lugo, who formerly lived in her district.

UW-River Falls Football Wins First Title In Program History

The UW-River Falls Falcons are NCAA D-III champs of football for the first time in program history.

Facing off against the North Central Cardinals from Illinois, the River Falls Falcons were down as much as 14-3 early on in the game.

Wisconsin Republicans Key-Up Child Grooming, Gender Legislation

It will be a busy week for Wisconsin lawmakers.

Both the State Senate and the Assembly are due in Madison this week, and lawmakers have a hefty to-do list.

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Education is scheduled to hold a hearing on a piece of legislation from Rep. Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, that would require school boards across the state to create and follow policies on when kids can change their gender and pronouns, and when those school boards will allow teachers and school staffers to use those new genders and pronouns.

Tuesday is also the first hearing for Rep. Amanda Nedweski's, R-Pleasant Prairie, plan to fight child grooming.