Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Sep. 15, 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

The Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Mail Voting Restrictions For This Year's Midterms

The Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump, rejecting his efforts to enact new mail-in voting restrictions for the midterm election.

The ruling released Monday by the high court means the U.S. Postal Service is expected to continue delivering ballots as usual.

Voting by mail has already begun in states including Alabama, North Carolina and Wisconsin, with more soon to follow — including Western states such as Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, where elections are held primarily or fully with mail ballots.

Lindsay Clancy Holdout Juror’s Domestic Violence History Raises Retrial Questions

New revelations about the criminal background of the holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy case are raising questions about whether prosecutors can seat an untainted jury if the case goes to retrial.

NBC10 Boston reports the juror who blocked a unanimous verdict had a domestic violence arrest that was later dropped, along with a restraining order that was active during the trial and a pending eviction case. It’s unclear whether he disclosed that history on his juror questionnaire, which is destroyed after deliberations and isn’t part of the public record.

No One And Done: The Fed Will Hike At Least Two Times Over The Next Year, According To CNBC Survey

It’s not going to be one and done.

A majority of respondents to the CNBC Fed Survey now forecast at least two hikes over the next one year, with a third predicting three or more. It’s a stark change from last month when just 46% expected a hike ahead. That’s grown to 86% with 55% expecting more than a single hike.

Since last month, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish speech in Jackson Hole, oil prices surged, inflation failed to cool and respondents now seem to believe inflation has spread beyond energy and won’t take care of itself without action by the Fed.

Emmy Awards 2026: See Who Took Home The Top Prizes In Television

The 78th Emmy Awards have come to a close.

"Widow's Bay" was the big winner on Monday night, setting a new all-time record for most Emmy wins ever by a comedy series, with 14. The show swept in the comedy categories, including outstanding comedy series, directing and writing.

Its lead actor, Matthew Rhys, also won big, taking home two Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series and also for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. Rhys scored the latter award for his turn in "The Beast in Me."

Vance Announces About 870,000 People Suspected Of Defrauding Covid-Era Programs Barred From Future Federal Loans

Vice President JD Vance announced Monday the Trump administration will suspend roughly 870,000 people suspected of defrauding pandemic-era small business programs from receiving future federal loans.

The vice president contended that borrowers who stole taxpayer money should no longer be eligible to receive loans from government-backed programs.

"If you screwed the American taxpayer, the federal government is now going to say you're cut off, no more," Vance told reporters. "You shouldn't be applying anymore, and if you do apply, you're no longer able to get those benefits."

Wisconsin Headlines

Pilot Praised After Rep. Tom Tiffany Emergency Landing At Lake Wausau

Federal investigators are examining an emergency plane landing in Lake Wausau that left Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and pilot Leonard “Lenny” Boltz with minor injuries after the aircraft reportedly experienced engine issues Saturday night.

New video obtained Monday showed crews removing the Beechcraft K35 from the lake nearly two days after the incident.

Dedication Planned For Historical Marker At Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to attend a special ceremony at Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area on Sept. 26, 2026 to celebrate the dedication of an official state historical marker at the property. The event is organized by the Friends of Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The marker, only the second official state historical marker to be erected in Burnett County, will be dedicated at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2026. The ceremony will take place at the marker location on Namekagon Trail, just north of its intersection with Springbrook Trail within the wildlife area’s South Unit. A short program is planned with presentations on the history and ecology of the Barrens.

Pessimism Rings In Latest Small Business Survey

Small business owners in Wisconsin are not as bullish on their future as they once were.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses last week released its latest Small Business Optimism Index.

“From hiring difficulties to rising costs and softer sales, many owners are being forced to make tough decisions about expansion and investment,” NFIB Wisconsin State Director Luke Bacher said. “Wisconsin lawmakers should focus on reducing burdens and creating conditions that allow small businesses to grow, hire, and compete successfully.”

Business owners are now more worried about their futures than their presents.

Legislation Proposes Screen-Free Wisconsin Classrooms Until 3rd Grade

Last fall, Wisconsin became the 36th state to limit cell phones in schools with bipartisan support. Now, a Republican lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would create screen-free classrooms through second grade.

State Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, says research shows young children have the least to gain and the most to lose from spending time on screens.

“My hope is that we can provide a better environment for learning for our students across the state,” Steffen said. “And one of the ways the research has shown, and teachers and parents have asked for, is to eliminate laptops and tablets for our youngest learners.”

Stock Up, Stock Down For Wisconsin Football After Week 2 Win Over Western Illinois

Despite a relatively inconsistent performance, the Wisconsin football team notched its first win of the 2026 season, defeating FCS Western Illinois in the Badgers' home opener, 36-9.

Before we move on to focusing on the Badgers’ next matchup against Eastern Michigan, let’s take one last look back at the Western Illinois game with the post-Week 2 stock report: