Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Jan. 21, 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

Former Sports Reporter Michele Tafoya Files To Run For U.S. Senate In Minnesota

Former television sports reporter Michele Tafoya has filed to run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota as a Republican, according to federal filings submitted Tuesday afternoon.

Tafoya is seeking the open seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, as Republicans target a pickup opportunity in a state the GOP has not won statewide since 2006, when then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty was reelected.

A Republican has not been elected to the U.S. Senate from Minnesota since Norm Coleman in 2002.

Medical Groups Sue To Block New CDC Vaccine Recommendations

Seven prominent medical associations on Monday sued to reverse changes to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s childhood vaccine recommendations.

The lawsuit was brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Massachusetts Public Health Association, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Have Been Subpoenaed By The DOJ

The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas to multiple government officials in Minnesota, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, expanding the agency's probe alleging that Minnesota officials conspired to impede law enforcement amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her have also been subpoenaed. NPR has not yet confirmed reports that other state and local leaders have also been issued subpoenas.

Iran's Top Diplomat Issues Most Direct Threat Yet To US Amid Crackdown On Protests

Iran's foreign minister issued the most direct threat yet Wednesday against the United States after Tehran's bloody crackdown on protesters, warning the Islamic Republic will be “firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack."

The comments by Abbas Araghchi, who saw his invitation to the World Economic Forum in Davos rescinded over the killings, comes as an American aircraft carrier group moves westward toward the Middle East from Asia.

Mortgage Refinances Surged Again, But Rates Are Now Suddenly Jumping Higher

Mortgage refinancing jumped sharply higher for the second straight week, as interest rates fell further, but that boom may be about to bust. Interest rates are now moving much higher.

Last week, applications to refinance a home loan rose 20% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. Applications were 183% higher than the same week one year ago.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Assembly Passes Bill To Regulate AI Data Centers

The Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill Tuesday aimed at regulating the state’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence data center industry.

The legislation moved quickly through the statehouse, receiving a vote on the floor less than two weeks after being introduced.

The bill passed 53-44, largely along party lines, with Democrats opposed.

New UCS Report Urges Wisconsin To Plan Data Center Growth With Clean, Affordable Energy

A new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) highlights the need for clean energy policies in managing Wisconsin's rising electricity demand, driven primarily by the expansion of data centers.

Using three different policy scenarios, the analysis examined how clean energy could meet increased demand while delivering climate and public health benefits.

The report emphasizes the need for renewable energy to avoid potential overreliance on fossil fuels, which could have significant climate and health impacts.

Wisconsin College Republicans Raised $1M In 2025. It Came From 2 People

A Wisconsin College Republicans group raised more than $1 million last year thanks to dual $500,000 donations from two of the state’s biggest GOP megadonors.

The haul comes after years of relative fundraising obscurity from the organization, which brought in less than five figures during elections in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

A state fundraising report covering the second half of last year shows Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein each made $500,000 donations to the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans. Richard Uihlein, the CEO of ULINE, made the first donation on Dec. 18. Elizabeth Uihlein, the company’s president, made her contribution four days later.

Francesca Hong Claims Significant Grassroots Support

Democrat Francesca Hong sees something more important than just her latest fundraising haul.

Hong, like all of the other candidates in the 2026 race, released their fundraising totals last week. She reported raising $368,685 during the last part of 2025. That’s enough to put her sixth in fundraising out of the seven people running for governor as a Democrat.

But Hong said the numbers also show that she has more support than the other candidates.

Hong reported that over 7,300 people gave her money last year. By comparison, Republican Tom Tiffany reported 4,300 donors, Democrat Mandela Barnes had 3,700, and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez had 3,300. Democratic fundraising leader David Crowley reported just over 1,300 donors.

Mark Pocan Pushes Wisconsin Hospitals To Defy Warnings On Trans Surgeries

Madison’s Democratic congressman is urging two of Wisconsin’s largest hospitals to risk the wrath of the Trump Administration.

Congressman Mark Pocan on Friday wrote a letter to Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health, urging them to continue sex change surgeries and hormone treatments for kids.

“Refusing to provide this care while it remains legal shows you are choosing to operate as more of a political organization than a healthcare institution. I strongly urge you to immediately resume providing this medically necessary and often lifesaving care pending a legal ruling in Oregon v. Kennedy,” Pocan wrote.