Morning Headlines - Tuesday, June 17, 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

Here’s What’s In The Senate GOP’s Version Of Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

The Senate Finance Committee on Monday unveiled its portion of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” containing provisions on Medicaid, taxes and green energy tax credits.

The committee’s text is the final piece of the upper chamber’s version of the bill to be released, and was the most highly anticipated. It contains some of the thorniest provisions that Senate GOP holdouts have expressed concerns about, and the issues that could set the upper chamber on a collision course with the House.

The House narrowly passed its version of the legislation last month. Here’s what’s in the Senate’s bill.

OpenAI Wins $200 Million U.S. Defense Contract

OpenAI has been awarded a $200 million contract to provide the U.S. Defense Department with artificial intelligence tools.

The department announced the one-year contract on Monday, months after OpenAI said it would collaborate with defense technology startup Anduril to deploy advanced AI systems for “national security missions.”

“Under this award, the performer will develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains,” the Defense Department said. It’s the first contract with OpenAI listed on the Department of Defense’s website.

Minnesota Suspect Attempted To Kill Two Other State Lawmakers, Officials Say

A man who is accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband, and injuring another state lawmaker and his wife, allegedly attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, Minnesota officials said on Monday.

Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who is charged with fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband, Mark, visited the homes of three other state lawmakers in "truly chilling" attacks, US Attorney Joseph H Thompson said.

Mr Boelter, who police said researched the victims and their families beforehand, allegedly had planned for a larger scale attack, which police thwarted.

Trump Leaves G7 Summit Early To Focus On Conflict In Middle East

President Donald Trump arrived back in Washington early Tuesday after cutting short his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Canada, citing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote Monday on X that “because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.”

“I have to be back as soon as I can,” Trump told reporters in response to a question Monday night about his plans to leave the summit at the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis in Alberta.

Social Media Now Main Source Of News In US, Research Suggests

Social media and video networks have become the main source of news in the US, overtaking traditional TV channels and news websites, research suggests.

More than half (54%) of people get news from networks like Facebook, X and YouTube - overtaking TV (50%) and news sites and apps (48%), according to the Reuters Institute.

"The rise of social media and personality-based news is not unique to the United States, but changes seem to be happening faster – and with more impact – than in other countries," a report found.

Podcaster Joe Rogan was the most widely-seen personality, with almost a quarter (22%) of the population saying they had come across news or commentary from him in the previous week.

Wisconsin Headlines

Sen. Baldwin, Rep. Pocan Named On Lists Written By Minnesota Shooting Suspect

Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan are among names that were written on lists by a man accused in the shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses.

Communications Director Eli Rosen said Baldwin is staying focused on the Minnesota lawmakers and their families.

“Senator Baldwin was informed by law enforcement that she was included on the alleged shooters’ list of names,” Rosen said. “She is grateful for law enforcement’s swift action to keep the community safe and remains focused on the things that matter most here: honoring the legacy and life of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, praying for the other victims who are fighting for their lives, and condemning this abhorrent, senseless political violence.”

Wisconsin Dairy Farmer Sues USDA Claiming Discrimination Against White Farmers

A Wisconsin dairy farmer alleged in a federal lawsuit filed on June 16 that the Trump administration is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by continuing programs that favor minorities.

The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture in federal court in Wisconsin on behalf of a white dairy farmer, Adam Faust.

Faust was among several farmers who successfully sued the Biden administration in 2021 for race discrimination in the USDA’s Farmer Loan Forgiveness Plan.

Records Show Minnesota Shooting Suspect Lived In Wisconsin

Online records show Vance Boelter has ties to Wisconsin.

Property records show Boelter and his wife lived in the town of Sheboygan from 2005 to 2014.

One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she believes Boelter kept to himself and is relieved he is no longer nearby.

"It's a scary thought to think he was here," the neighbor said. "At least he didn't do anything disruptive while he was here, as far as I know."

Planned Parenthood Says Some Wisconsin Clinics Will Close If Federal Budget Bill Passes

Planned Parenthood said some health care centers in Wisconsin could close.

It’s concerned about provisions in the proposed federal budget bill.

The measure would block patients from using BadgerCare to pay for health services at Planned Parenthood facilities.

An existing law already bans the use of federal money for abortions.

Pro-life groups are backing the new restrictions in an attempt to close clinics where abortion services are provided.

Proposed EPA Rollbacks For Power Plants Worry Wisconsin Health, Environmental Advocates

Wisconsin environmental and health advocates are denouncing plans by the Environmental Protection Agency to repeal rules that limit heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that contribute to climate change.

The EPA recently proposed rules to repeal the Biden-era regulations and weaken standards aimed at reducing emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants.