Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026 | 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 at the end for a little humor to go with your news.

U.S. and World Headlines

Top Democrats Call On Graham Platner To Drop Out As Sexual Assault Allegation Emerges

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the leadership of the Maine Democratic Party urged Senate nominee Graham Platner to drop out of the race Monday, after a bombshell Politico report accusing Platner of sexual assault.

Platner insisted the allegation is "categorically false" but said his campaign is reflecting on "the best path forward."

Toyota To Invest $3.6 Billion To Move Tacoma Pickup Truck Production From Mexico To Texas

Toyota Motor said it is investing $3.6 billion to move production of the Tacoma midsize pickup truck from Mexico to Texas.

The San Antonio plant currently produces the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck, including a hybrid variant, and the Toyota Sequoia SUV hybrid.

The automaker said last year that it plans to invest up to $10 billion more than previously expected by 2030 in the United States.

DOGE Officially Shuts Down

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which spearheaded job and funding cuts throughout the federal government, shut down operations on July 4.

In a Saturday social media post, the department quoted former President Teddy Roosevelt, writing, “‘Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.'”

“While the formal mission of DOGE has come to an end, the mission to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse will continue,” DOGE added. “Good stewardship of taxpayer dollars and accountable government are not temporary initiatives. We hope those principles endure long into America’s next 250 years.”

$50M Disney Settlement: What To Know To Claim Your Share

If you subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream over the past several years, you could be eligible for a payment as part of a $50 million settlement from The Walt Disney Company. But the deadline to file a claim is quickly approaching.

The lawsuit stems from a 2022 federal class-action complaint filed by YouTube TV subscribers, who argued Disney's control over popular channels and programming gave the company outsized influence over the live TV streaming market.

There Were Not One, But Two Asteroid Encounters This Weekend

As the United States of America celebrated its 250th birthday on terra firma with fireworks displays this weekend, two Asian countries made some splashes of their own farther from Earth.

On Sunday, an aging Japanese spacecraft named Hayabusa2, which completed its initial sample-return objective more than half a decade ago, found success with an extended mission that saw the vehicle fly by a peanut-shaped asteroid named Torifune.

Hours later, the Chinese space agency released images from a spacecraft, Tianwen-2, arriving at its target asteroid following a journey of 1 billion km. At this small asteroid, the Chinese spacecraft will attempt to retrieve samples and return them to Earth late next year.

Children Who Died On Geneva Lake In Wisconsin Were Trapped In Sunken Boat, Police Say

Three children who died when a boat capsized on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin amid a sudden storm last week were found inside the sunken vessel, police said.

Seven people were rescued along with the three children who died when a strong storm blew into Walworth County Friday, causing the boat to take on water, capsize and eventually sink, the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency said.

Cyclosporiasis Outbreak, Wisconsin Impacted; Foods Possibly Affected

A cyclosporiasis outbreak across the United States continues, and officials in Michigan are releasing more information about the types of foods that have been specifically linked to the outbreak in previous instances to help prevent further illnesses.

"Frequent, watery diarrhea" is one of several symptoms.

Wisconsin is currently reporting between 1-10 cases, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Packers WR Jayden Reed Proposes To Miss Wisconsin USA Aneisha Cox

Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed became the second newly engaged player in recent days after he popped the question to his partner, Aneisha Cox, over the holiday weekend. Packers safety Evan Williams proposed to his girlfriend in Italy last week.

In a join Instagram post, Reed and Cox wrote: "Forever & after" with a champagne glass emoji and a series of photos of the proposal, the ring and celebration afterward.

And it was all so beautiful and elegant.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Stays Case Challenging Legality Of Immigration Detainers

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today stayed a case challenging the legality of local law enforcement holding people at the request of federal immigration officials.

The stay came as five sheriffs who were sued have sought to move the case to federal court.

Voes de la Frontera, which filed the original lawsuit, had asked the state Supreme Court to issue a briefing schedule to allow the case to move forward simultaneously with the federal appeal. But the Wisconsin justices declined to do so.

Hong Leads Latest Wisconsin Dem Gov’s Race Poll

The latest look at Wisconsin’s Democrat race for governor is much like the last few.

Francesca Hong leads the latest poll from the Isthmus Political Report, with Mandela Barnes in second, and Sara Rodriguez in a distant third.

"Among likely Democratic primary voters, State Rep. Francesca Hong holds a narrow edge with 30% support, just ahead of former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes at 28%. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez trails in third at 19%, with 23% either undecided or backing another candidate," the poll states.