Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Jan. 7, 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

White House Discussing "Range Of Options" For Acquiring Greenland

The White House said Tuesday officials are discussing a wide range of options for acquiring Greenland, including using the U.S. military to take it by force.

Senior administration officials are also discussing possibly acquiring Greenland from Denmark or forming a compact of free association.

"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," Leavitt said. "The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief's disposal."

Democrats Advised Not To Center Midterm Campaigns On Attacking Trump

Political strategists say Democrats running in competitive races in this year’s midterm elections for the House and Senate should steer clear of making President Trump the centerpiece of their campaigns.

While Trump’s approval ratings are low and Americans have been frustrated by his job performance in the first year of his second term, the strategists say the key to winning is to home in on economic issues — particularly affordability.

Big Pharma Race To Snap Up Biotech Assets As $170 Billion Patent Cliff Looms

Some of the best-selling drugs in the world are facing a loss of exclusivity in key jurisdictions in the upcoming years in what the sector calls “the patent cliff.”

The need for pharma to top up their pipelines coincides with the broader biotech sector coming back to life after years of depressed valuations.

M&A in the sector picked up dramatically in September and October 2025 as overhangs lifted.

RFK Jr. Wants To End ‘War On Saturated Fats’ With New Dietary Guidelines

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will begin his push for Americans to eat more saturated fats with the expected release of new dietary guidelines on Wednesday.

The move would fly in the face of what doctors and dietitians have been advising for decades, but HHS said on Tuesday the new recommendations would be “rooted in rigorous science.”

While the specifics of the plan remain under wraps, Kennedy has repeatedly spoken in favor of increased saturated fat consumption.

What To Know About The 2026 Golden Globes: How To Watch, Who's Hosting And More

The 83rd annual Golden Globes ceremony is almost here!

Hollywood's biggest party of the year will take place on Sunday honoring the best in television, film and podcasting, as determined by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. 

This year for the first time, a new annual primetime special, "Golden Eve," will air nationally on Thursday night, with special honors going to Sarah Jessica Parker and Dame Helen Mirren.

Wisconsin Headlines

The 2026 Election For Wisconsin Governor Begins With Competitive Primary Campaigns

The 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin features one of the largest primary fields in recent memory, at least on one side of the aisle. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced in July he would not seek a third term in office. One day later, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced she was running.

Four months after that, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced he was running. In between, a steady stream of Democrats joined the race, as did a pair of Republicans.

Wisconsin Lawmaker Proposes Longer Recess Time For Elementary Students

A Wisconsin Republican lawmaker wants to double the amount of recess time required for elementary school students, proposing legislation that would require 60 minutes of unstructured play time daily for kindergarten through sixth-grade students in public schools.

Assembly Committee Hears Child Anti-Grooming Bill

Wisconsin currently lacks a state statute defining grooming a child for sexual activity. This legal gap means child predators who groom children, often through texting or online, cannot be charged.

The bill includes a list of grooming examples. These include sexual conversations, inappropriate physical contact and digital communications meant to seduce a child.

DHS: Medicaid Expenses Projected To Come In $213 Million Higher Than Budgeted

The Department of Health Services is now projecting Medicaid GPR spending to come in $213.2 million higher than projected when the 2025-27 budget was signed six months ago.

The state budgeted nearly $9.7 billion in general purpose revenue for Medicaid over the 2025-27 biennium, with an overall cost for the program of nearly $36.2 billion with federal funds factored in. The projected $213.2 million GPR shortfall amounts to 2.2% of budgeted costs.

Liberal Group Spends Seven Figures In Western Wisconsin Congressional Race

The attention, and the money, continues to pour into western Wisconsin’s race for Congress.

The liberal group Opportunity Wisconsin on Tuesday announced a seven-figure ad buy to try and unseat Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden.

“[The] TV and digital ads to hold Congressman Derrick Van Orden accountable for sending health care costs through the roof for families in his district. Van Orden refused to support an extension of health care tax credits, forcing his constituents to pay thousands more beginning this month,” the group said in a statement.