Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Jun. 24, 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

Clean Sweep For Mamdani-Backed Candidates In New York's Democratic Primary

US congressman Dan Goldman has been defeated in a New York primary election, capping a clean sweep for candidates backed by New York's democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Goldman was beaten by progressive challenger Brad Lander in New York's 10th congressional district in a contest that laid bare the party's divisions over the Israel-Gaza war.

Lander has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Goldman, a two-term incumbent, was backed by pro-Israel groups.

Two other candidates, both democratic socialists endorsed by Mamdani as he seeks to tilt the Democratic party to the left, won their primary races on Tuesday, in a boost for the party's left wing in America's largest city.

More Than 450 People Charged In Connection To $6.5B Healthcare Fraud

The Justice Department announced charges against more than 450 people across 45 states, accusing them of taking part in “healthcare fraud schemes.”

The department said the alleged fraud by the 455 people involved more than $6.5 billion in false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare programs. Of the group, at least 90 were doctors and medical professionals.

There were 56 federal districts, 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units that took part in the investigation.

In Symbolic Vote, Congress Directs Trump To Remove Forces From Iran War

A bipartisan majority in Congress has voted in favor of a war powers resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran.

The Senate voted 50 to 48 on Tuesday afternoon, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support. They were Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski.

The measure, which is not legally binding and will not be sent to the White House for a signature, was approved by the House earlier this month.

Tech Companies Would Have To Pay AI Data Center Energy Costs Under Bill Moving In Congress

The House of Representatives on Wednesday will begin consideration of a bill to force tech companies to pay for artificial intelligence’s strain on the power grid, as voters across the country express dissatisfaction with data centers driving up utility costs.

A House Energy and Commerce Committee subpanel is due to debate and vote Wednesday on the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill that would require state utilities to consider creating a “large load standard” that would require data center builders to pay for upgrades to the grid needed to power them.

The bill represents one of the first attempts by Congress to force tech companies to pony up for data centers’ massive electricity demand.

Bill Gates Admits To Affairs With Harvard-Trained Doctor And Russian Nuclear Scientist In Shocking Epstein Grilling

Bill Gates has lifted the lid on some of his affairs during his appearance before Congress where two of the women he cheated on his wife with were named for the first time.

The Microsoft founder admitted that he had a relationship with Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt, a medical entrepreneur with a doctorate from Harvard Medical School.

He also confirmed that he had a relationship with Karima Nigmatulina, a Russian nuclear scientist.

Wisconsin Headlines

Shuttered Eau Claire Hospital To House Company Using Genetics To ‘Build Hearts’

The former Sacred Heart Hospital will now be known as the '900 District,' with goals of creating a medical research hub in western Wisconsin.

The former hospital closed its doors in March 2024 when the Hospital Sisters Health System, or HSHS, announced its exit from western Wisconsin. But on Wednesday the hospital doors were open and the lobby was once again full of people. They included representatives from local government, businesses, nonprofits, and the city’s university and technical college waiting to hear about the building’s next chapter.

Polling Shows Voters Across Party Lines Back Ballot Drop Box Regulations

Wisconsin voters across party lines back statewide regulation of ballot drop boxes amid concerns over election integrity, according to new polling unveiled at a WisPolitics event today.

The polling was commissioned by the bipartisan Democracy Defense Project, which was part of the WisPolitics luncheon in Madison.

The polling came from the Tarrance Group, a Republican research and strategy firm, and FM3 Research, a Dem-leaning political research firm specializing in campaigns.

Microsoft Announces Completion Of Mount Pleasant Data Center

Microsoft announced Tuesday that construction is finished on its first data center in Village of Mount Pleasant.

The facility, which Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith described as being home to “the world’s most powerful supercomputer”, is fully operational and employs nearly 550 full-time employees. Microsoft and its contractors expect that number to grow.

Xcel Energy Files Rate Proposal For Data Centers To Pay Full Costs Of Projects

Xcel Energy has filed a rate proposal with Wisconsin utility regulators that would require data centers to pay all costs tied to their projects.

The utility filed an application Monday with the Public Service Commission. The proposal requires data centers or other large customers to pay all costs tied to new transmission lines or power plants needed to meet their energy demand.

“We recognize the growing energy needs of large customers, including data centers, and the important role they play in driving economic growth and innovation in Wisconsin. At the same time, it’s critical that growth is managed in a way that does not raise the rates of customers and supports the communities we serve,” Karl Hoesly, Xcel Energy’s president in Wisconsin and Michigan, said in a statement.

Couple Attempts Guinness World Record During Waterpark Wedding In Wisconsin Dells

A North Dakota couple renewed their wedding vows on top of a water slide at Land of Natura water park in the Wisconsin Dells in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record.

Keisha and Jon Lakoduk have been renewing their vows at numerous places across the country.

They're aiming to set two world records — most vow renewals in a 30-day period and the most times a bride has gone down a water slide in a wedding dress.