Morning Headlines - Tuesday, May 13, 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

Edan Alexander, U.A.-Israeli Hostage, Released After More Than 19 Months In Hamas Captivity

Hamas released Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, Monday as President Trump departed Washington for a trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, officials said. Alexander was transferred to the Red Cross and then later to the Israel Defense Forces.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's government "will assist in his absorption and will accompany him and his family." Netanyahu's office posted a video of Alexander being transferred into IDF hands.

Trump Kicks Off First Major Foreign Trip In Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump will land in Riyadh on Tuesday carrying the weight of his self-styled roles as a dealmaker and a peacemaker, with the wars in Gaza and Ukraine looming over a trip centered around his other, economic-focused ambitions.

The visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates emphasizes investment and economic priorities, beginning with a Saudi state visit, a summit of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders and a U.S.-Saudi business summit with executives from major U.S. companies. Before leaving Washington, a proposed gift from Qatar of a luxury plane has also drawn attention, raising questions about compliance with government ethics regulations and potential security concerns — as Trump seeks to highlight the financial value.

Over A Ton Of Cocaine Worth Nearly Half A Billion Dollars Seized Off Australian Coast

Over a ton of cocaine worth close to nearly half a billion dollars has been seized from a boat off the coast of Australia, officials have confirmed.

Detectives from the Organised Crime Squad in Australia have charged five people following the seizure of the drugs from a vessel off the New South Wales coast after police there obtained potential intelligence to the drugs following a “suspicious purchase” of a 43-foot-long motor cruiser paid for by just cash in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on April 28, according to a joint statement from the New South Wales Police Force and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Menendez Brothers' Long-Awaited Resentencing Hearing To Begin

A long-awaited resentencing hearing on Tuesday is set to determine whether two brothers who killed their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills mansion could be freed from prison after three decades.

After months of delays, a judge will begin hearing two days of arguments both for and against Erik and Lyle Menendez's bid to receive a lesser sentence - which could ultimately lead to their paroled release.

Prosecutors have argued the brothers meticulously planned the 1989 killings to access their parents' fortune, still have not taken accountability and should not be released. The brothers have said they acted out of self-defence after years of abuse.

Tariff Receipts Topped $16 Billion In April, A Record That Helped Cut The Budget Deficit

Customs duties totaled $16.3 billion for the month, some 86% above the $8.75 billion collected during March and more than double the $7.1 billion a year ago.

The fiscal year-to-date deficit fell to $1.05 trillion, which is still 13% higher than a year ago.

Wisconsin Headlines

Madison Father Charged In School Shooting Posts Bond

A Madison man charged in a school shooting committed by his daughter posted bond on Monday, a notification through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections indicated.

Jeffrey Rupnow bonded out Monday morning and was released from custody, according to WI VINE. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Rupnow posted bond around 9:30 a.m. Monday.

As of 10:10 a.m. Monday, he is no longer listed as a resident of the Dane County Jail.

La Crosse Police Were The Only Law Enforcement Officers In Wisconsin Using An 'Unusual Practice' That Cost Taxpayers

Back in 2020, Demond Harris had outstanding citations for reckless driving and disorderly conduct. An alleged road rage incident led to La Crosse police writing the tickets against Harris after he had departed the scene.

When an officer went to his residence to issue the citations, Harris refused to answer the door.

Rather than mail the tickets, Officer Graham Eddy, the brother of the cop who first tried to issue them at his residence, pulled Harris over three days later to give him the citations.

Francis Creek Man Indicted On Federal Crimes Against Minors

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 12, 2025, a federal indictment was unsealed alleging that Michael J. Kornely (age: 75) of Francis Creek, Wisconsin, transported two separate minor victims across state lines with the “intent to engage in criminal sexual activity,” in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a), in the years 2005 and 2006.

Kornely is further alleged to have used a computer to attempt to “persuade, induce, and entice” a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b). That crime is alleged to have occurred in March of 2024.

Joint Finance Co-Chairs On ‘Upfront’ Shrug Off Looming Cuts From Federal Government

The Republican co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee said the GOP budget will aim to reduce the size of government as the pair brushed off concerns about the impact of looming cuts from the federal government.

“I’m not overly concerned about it,” Rep. Mark Born, of Beaver Dam, said on WISN 12’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “I think the federal government makes changes all the time. They’ve made changes in previous budgets. I think people are curious about it now, it’s getting a lot more attention, but they still have to actually make changes before it actually impacts the budget.”

GOP Lawmaker Warns Of Massive, Future Budget Increases From Evers Veto

One Wisconsin lawmaker is warning that the state is now on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax increase, every two years because of Gov. Tony Evers’ school funding veto.

Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, penned an op-ed on Monday that explained the math behind Evers’ 400-year veto.

“Based on today’s enrollments, the state is going to need to find an additional $800 million in every single budget cycle for the next 400 years, meaning this responsibility will fall squarely on property taxpayers,” Knodl wrote.