Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 | 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!

Related: view today's obituaries.

U.S. and World Headlines

HHS Says It's Freezing Child Care Payments To Minnesota After Fraud Allegations

An official with the Department of Health and Human Services says the agency has "frozen all child care payments" to the state of Minnesota after allegations of fraudulent day care centers there.

In addition, HHS is tightening requirements for payments from the Administration for Children and Families to all states, requiring a justification and a receipt or photo evidence, Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O'Neill said in a post on social media Tuesday.

The move comes after an unverified online video from conservative influencer Nick Shirley alleging fraud in child care in Somali communities in Minneapolis. Minnesota officials had disputed the allegations.

5 Takeaways From The 2025 Elections

This year’s elections offered early signs of what to expect in next year’s midterms.

After much of the country shifted rightward last year, Democrats got a much-needed shot in the arm with a string of impressive victories. The elections have also underscored some of President Trump’s weaknesses as his party looks to hold onto both chambers of Congress next year.

Still, it remains to be seen whether Democrats can maintain that momentum in 2026, especially as the party grapples with its own divisions.

As 2025 comes to a close, here are five takeaways from this year’s elections:

These Restaurant Chains Closed Locations In 2025

As the restaurant industry endured another difficult year, many chains opted to close underperforming locations as they try to turn around their businesses.

Inflation-weary consumers have pulled back their restaurant spending, choosing to eat at home or chasing deals when they go out for a meal. While some restaurants have won over reluctant diners, the industry has largely struggled with the sales slump. Traffic to restaurants open at least a year fell every month in 2025, excluding only July, according to Black Box Intelligence.

In years past, restaurant closures have been more concentrated across casual-dining chains, which lost customers to fast-casual competitors like Chipotle. But this year, chains across the industry announced plans to shutter at least hundreds of locations.

Why Do We Make New Year's Resolutions? A Brief History Of A Long Tradition

Are you aiming to sleep better, eat healthier, scroll less and/or generally upgrade your life starting on Jan. 1?

Join the club — it's several thousand years old.

New Year's resolutions are a key part of how many people observe the holiday, as much of an annual tradition as the Times Square ball drop or a midnight champagne toast.

The concept of taking stock and vowing to do better in the new year actually dates back centuries, though there wasn't always a pithy name for it.

Who's Performing At Tonight's Times Square Ball Drop For New Year's Eve 2026?

As revelers from around the world get ready to ring in 2026 in New York City's Times Square, preparations are underway for a New Year's Eve celebration packed with live performances.

Crowds have gathered to watch the ball drop from atop the skyscraper at One Times Square on New Year's for more than a century. At this year's festivities, organizers are planning a star-studded lineup of entertainment featuring Diana Ross, Ciara, Maren Morris, Little Big Town and more.

Tom Tiffany Blasts Gov. Evers Over MN Fraud Questions

Tom Tiffany is demanding answers from Gov. Tony Evers to make sure there is no Minnesota-style fraud happening in Wisconsin.

Tiffany, who is currently the northwoods’ congressman and is also running for governor as a Republican, took to X Monday to blast Evers.

Gov. Evers has refused to share food stamp enrollment data with the Trump Administration, and Wisconsin is currently part of a federal lawsuit over that information.

Tiffany said Gov. Evers needs to be clear, and show the taxpayers of Wisconsin that there is no widespread fraud in any of the state’s public benefit programs.

Assembly Speaker Vos Sees ‘Good Chance’ GOP Wins Wisconsin Governor In 2026

Wisconsin’s longest-serving state Assembly speaker predicted Tuesday that Republicans will win the governorship next November — even as he wouldn’t confirm whether or not he’ll run for reelection himself.

State Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, raised eyebrows in October when he said he might not seek his 12th term representing the southeastern Wisconsin district he’s represented since 2004. But in a wide-ranging, end-of-year interview with WPR, Vos said he probably won’t decide until February.

“I love what I do,” he said. “I feel like I’ve helped to make sure that Wisconsin stays in the center lane, as opposed to going to the far left like Illinois or Minnesota.”

Wisconsin Party Chairs Outline Strategies For 2026 Midterm Elections

Wisconsin’s Republican and Democratic party chairs are preparing for what they expect to be highly competitive 2026 midterm elections, with both sides agreeing voter turnout will be crucial in the battleground state.

The race for governor to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D) will be the state’s biggest statewide race in 2026. Wisconsin GOP Chair Brian Schimming criticized the Democratic primary field, which currently includes nine candidates, compared to three Republican candidates.

“On their side, they can’t seem to stop people from running,” Schimming said.

Democratic Chair Devin Remiker defended the large field as beneficial for the party.

Chippewa Falls Parent Concerned Over New Superintendent, School Board President Explains Decision

Some Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District parents are raising concerns after the district hired its next superintendent from the Sun Prairie Area School District following a major controversy there.

"I'm angry, I'm confused, I am frustrated," Nicole Evans Estenson, whose son goes to Chippewa Falls High School, said.

Evans Estenson says she has lost her trust in the CFAUSD school board after hiring Sun Prairie Area School District superintendent Dr. Brad Saron to be the new superintendent in Chippewa Falls.

Year In Review: WisDOT Celebrates 2025 accomplishments

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is wrapping up a year of progress, improvements and innovations to support multimodal transportation infrastructure and services throughout the state.

“2025 was a year of incredible challenge and opportunity for WisDOT as we implemented a new state budget and continued our work to address safety on the roads and build a 21st century infrastructure," Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “I'm so proud of all we accomplished this year. We couldn't do it without the hard work of our team and many transportation partners working together to reach our shared goal of a safe and efficient multimodal transportation system in Wisconsin."