Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Jan. 7, 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 and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

2 People Found Dead In Jetblue Plane Landing Gear At Florida Airport

Broward sheriff's deputies and a medical examiner descended on Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport overnight after two bodies were found dead in an aircraft compartment on a JetBlue plane.

The investigation was centered around Terminal 3, which is home to JetBlue Airways.

JetBlue issued a statement that said Monday night two people were found dead in an aircraft landing gear. The bodies were found during a routine inspection after the plane landed.

New Federal Rule Will Remove Medical Debt From Credit Reports

In a major change that could affect millions of Americans' credit scores, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday finalized a rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports.

The rule would erase an estimated $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans, the CFPB said.

That could help boost those borrowers' credit scores by an average of 20 points, helping them qualify for mortgages and other loans.

Meta Glasses Allowed Truck-Ramming Suspect To Blend In: Experts

In a self-recorded video, the suspect in the deadly New Orleans truck-ramming attack appeared to be an average tourist pedaling through the city's French Quarter on a bicycle while wearing what appeared to be a pair of normal sunglasses.

But FBI officials now believe the bike ride Shamsud-Din Jabbar took in late October was not intended for mere recreation. Lyonel Myrthil, special agent in charge of the bureau's New Orleans field office, said during a news conference on Sunday that the shades Jabbar was wearing were a pair of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, equipped with cameras in the frame, allowing him to take video and photos without using his hands.

Canada's Justin Trudeau Cites 'Internal Battles' As He Ends Nine-Year Run

Under growing pressure from his own party, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down and end his nine-year stretch as leader.

Trudeau said he would stay on in office until his Liberal Party can choose a new leader, and that parliament would be prorogued - or suspended - until 24 March.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," he said during a press conference Monday.

Trudeau's personal unpopularity with Canadians had become an increasing drag on his party's fortunes in advance of federal elections later this year.

McDonald’s Is The Latest Company To Roll Back Diversity Goals

Four years after launching a push for more diversity in its ranks, McDonald’s is ending some of its diversity practices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.

McDonald’s is the latest big company to shift its tactics in the wake of the 2023 ruling and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Walmart, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and others rolled back their DEI initiatives last year.

McDonald’s said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It also intends to end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and to increase the number of minority group members represented within their own leadership ranks.

Wisconsin Legislature Begins First New Session After Redistricting

Wisconsin state lawmakers were inaugurated Monday to commence a new session — the first after legislative districts were redrawn, shifting the political parties’ share of power in both chambers.

Republicans still hold majorities in both chambers, as they have since 2011, but by their narrowest margins in that same timeframe. On Monday, 54 Republicans and 45 Democrats were sworn into the Assembly, while about half of the Senate was sworn into new four-year terms, leaving an 18-15 Republican majority in that chamber.

UW-Madison Receives Five-year, $5.7 Million Grant For Effects Of Vaping Study

UW-Madison is launching a study to test the effects vaping has on cardio-pulmonary health.

"Although e-cigarettes have been on the market for over 15 years, we really don't know anything about their long-term health effects," said Dr. James Stein, professor of medicine and director of Preventive Cardiology at UW Health.

This comes after the National Institutes of Health awarded a five-year, $5.7 million grant to go towards the study.

Baldwin On Says She Has Concerns About Some Trump Appointees

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, says she has “concerns” about some of Donald Trump’s nominees.

She is pushing to meet with some of the more controversial picks to ask “tough questions” ahead of confirmation votes in the U.S. Senate. Baldwin singled out Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Defense secretary, and Kash Patel, his pick to lead the FBI.

“Their concerns are different types with regard to each of those nominees, and that’s why I’m going to be very interested to see the FBI vetting materials, to meet with them if possible, and to see the hearings unfold when they are asked tough questions and have to answer,” Baldwin said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.

USDA And Wisconsin Award $23.2 Million To Projects That Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to award $23.2 million for 30 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI).

The 30 Infrastructure Grants being announced today and the previously announced 41 Equipment Grants total 71 projects in Wisconsin funded through RFSI to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain while strengthening local and regional food systems.

Ice Fisherman Dies After Falling Through Ice On UTV In Wisconsin

An ice fisherman died Monday morning after falling through the ice while riding a UTV on Lawrence Lake in Marquette County.

Emergency responders were called to the scene around 10 a.m. for a report of a fisherman who had gone through the ice. Despite rescue and revival efforts, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.