Morning Headlines - Tuesday, May 19, 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

Kids Digital Safety Concerns Collide With Prediction Market Debate

The growing popularity of prediction markets has caught the attention of kids online safety advocates in Congress and gambling researchers, putting pressure on the industry to explain what they are doing to prevent minors and those younger than 21 from using their platforms.

The scrutiny from Congress largely comes from a contingent of lawmakers who have long focused on kids’ digital safety, for which efforts have largely targeted the addictive nature of social media platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots.

Lawyers For Accused Charlie Kirk Shooter Seek To Seal Evidence In Court

Ahead of a key July hearing, lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk are once again asking a judge to close access and seal some evidence.

Tyler Robinson’s defense has argued that live coverage of court proceedings could influence potential jurors. Earlier this month, a judge ruled that media and news cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during future court proceedings.

In a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, lawyers are expected to request that a judge to keep private portions of their client’s preliminary hearing scheduled for July 6-10. At the July hearing, prosecutors must show they have enough evidence against Robinson to proceed for trial.

Anthropic And U.S. Government To Face Off In DC Court Over Blacklisting Of AI Company

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., is set to hear arguments in Anthropic’s lawsuit over its blacklisting by the Pentagon.

Anthropic sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the DOD in March after the agency declared the artificial intelligence startup a supply chain risk.

Each side will have 15 minutes to present their case to a panel of three circuit judges, who will then issue a written opinion.

Rural Minnesota Town Being Torn Apart Over Plans For Green Burial Site As Landowner Claims He Is Being Intimidated

A bitter rural feud over a proposed 'green cemetery' has exploded into allegations of intimidation, drones and gunfire as one Minnesota landowner claims his quiet community has turned against him over plans to create an environmentally-friendly burial ground.

What began as a proposal to transform a 20-acre hayfield into a peaceful natural cemetery has instead plunged Blackhoof Township into a deeply emotional battle over death, property rights and fear of the unknown.

Landowner Matt Connell says he wanted to create a sanctuary where families could bury loved ones beneath wildflowers, berry bushes and trees rather than rows of granite headstones.

3 Adults Killed In Shooting At Islamic Center Of San Diego; Both Suspects Dead

Three adult men, one of whom was a security guard, were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, authorities said.

The security guard appeared to play a "pivotal role" in keeping the shooting from "being much worse," police said at a news conference, noting that the victims were found out front of the center.

"His actions were heroic," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said of the security guard during a press briefing Monday. "Undoubtedly he saved lives today."

Wisconsin Headlines

Evers Tells ‘UpFront’ Senate Dems Who Voted Against Surplus Package In ‘Untenable Position’

Gov. Tony Evers says Senate Dems who voted against the $1.8 billion surplus deal have put themselves in an “untenable position” ahead of the November elections after all 15 of them voted with three Republicans to kill the bill.

“They believe that somehow putting money back into people’s pockets that are struggling financially across the state, apparently they don’t believe that’s an issue,” Evers told WISN 12’s “UpFront,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics-State Affairs. “They’re going to say, ‘Well, we’re going to fix it next time when all these wonderful things happen after Evers is gone, and we’ll get a new governor and we’ll have Democrats all over the place.’ That’s fine. That’s a wish list, and who knows what else is going to happen. But you’re impacting kids right now. Impacting children right now. It’s a bad place for Democrats to be.”

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Tiffany Defends Role In Blocking School Funding Bill

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany took questions Monday in the Green Bay area, explaining his role in the effort to stop legislation that would have provided $1.8 billion for public schools and rebate checks for most taxpayers.

The accusation came from Gov. Tony Evers after a bipartisan deal was struck with GOP leadership in the state legislature.

Tiffany campaigned in Bellevue on Monday alongside former Gov. Scott Walker, days after a failed vote in the State Senate where three Republicans voted with Democrats to sink the bill Tiffany opposed.

Evers, who backed the bill, pointed fingers at both sides.

Schlitz Beer To Be Retired After 177 Years As Pabst Brewing Company Ceases Production

Schlitz beer, a Milwaukee icon and once the largest brewer in America, is being retired after 177 years as Pabst Brewing Company has ceased production.

Founded in 1849 in Milwaukee, Schlitz Brewing Company holds a legendary place in local history. The beer became a lifeline for Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire.

"They didn't have clean drinking water, so they were drinking Schlitz beer," Joseph Conforti told our Milwaukee affiliate WISN. He's the general manager of Milwaukee Brat House.

Declining Cigarette Use, Popularity Of Vapes Impact Wisconsin Tax Revenue

Vaping is poised to outpace the popularity of cigarettes. But a new report highlights how the shift could cost the state tax revenue.

The report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum looks at the tax revenue impacts of changing consumer behaviors around smoking and use of alternative nicotine products.

It found that revenue from Wisconsin’s cigarette tax was just under $370 million for the fiscal year ending June 2025. That’s the lowest amount since 1992 in inflation-adjusted dollars, and represents more than a 60 percent decline from peak revenue from cigarette taxes in 2010.

Click It Or Ticket Seat Belt Safety Campaign Runs May 18-31​

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of State Patrol is joining law enforcement agencies across the state in the national Click It or Ticket campaign from May 18-31. The annual campaign reminds drivers that seat belts save lives with focused enforcement and education efforts to promote buckling up.

“With an influx of travel expected for Memorial Day weekend, the Click It or Ticket campaign is a timely reminder to motorists that wearing a seatbelt is one of the best ways to protect yourself on the road,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Whether it’s just a quick trip or you’re traveling across the state, always make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.”