Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022

U.S. and World Headlines

Ukraine's Zelenskyy Addresses Congress, Invokes 9/11, Pearl Harbor, MLK As He Pleads For Pivotal Aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an address to Congress Wednesday, pleaded with the United States to "do more" by implementing a no-fly zone, providing additional aircraft and air defense systems, and creating a new security alliance.

Zelenskyy, speaking to U.S. lawmakers from Kyiv, where he has chosen to remain even as Russian forces move on the city, thanked President Biden for his "personal involvement" and "sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine," and the United States for the aid it has provided.

"However, now it is true in the darkest time for our country, for the whole Europe, I call on you to do more," Zelenskyy said.

Is Biden’s Approval Rating Really Rebounding?

In the last two weeks or so, President Biden’s approval rating has ticked up from 41.1 percent to 42.9 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight’s presidential approval tracker. The share of Americans who disapprove of the job he’s doing has ticked down, too, from 53.6 percent to 52.3 percent.

Fed Likely To Raise Interest Rates: Here's How It Might Affect You

The Federal Reserve is set to hike interest rates for the first time since slashing them to near zero levels amid the onset of the pandemic two years ago.

The U.S. economy has recovered rapidly from the quickest collapse in modern history, but at the cost of high inflation. The central bank is hoping to cool off rising inflation without denting several months of strong job growth.

Here's how Fed rate hikes are likely to affect the economy and your life.

Russian Oil Output Is About To Fall 30%. A Supply Shock Is Coming, IEA Warns

Russia could soon be forced to curtail crude oil production by 30%, subjecting the global economy to the biggest supply crisis in decades — that is, unless Saudi Arabia and other major energy exporters start pumping more.

The world's second-largest crude oil exporter could be forced to limit output by 3 million barrels per day in April, the International Energy Agency warned on Wednesday, as major oil companies, trading houses and shipping companies shun its exports and demand in Russia slumps. Russia was pumping about 10 million barrels of crude per day, and exporting about half of that, before it invaded Ukraine.

Retail Sales Come Up Short In February As Inflation Slows Consumer Spending

Consumers continued to spend in February through at a slower pace than expected, according to a Commerce Department report.

Advance retail sales grew 0.3% for the month, slightly below the 0.4% Dow Jones estimate. Stripping out autos, sales were up 0.2%, well below expectations for a 0.9% increase and indicative that after a rapid pace to start the year, consumers were slowing down.

The biggest dent in February’s numbers came in online shopping, with nonstore sales down 3.7%.

Wisconsin Headlines

Congressman Tiffany Announces In-Person Listening Sessions For March 24th And March 25th

U.S. Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) today announced that he will host multiple in-person listening sessions on Thursday, March 24th and Friday, March 25th to hear constituent concerns and discuss what’s happening in Washington DC. During the listening sessions, Congressman Tiffany will provide residents across the Seventh District with a legislative update and answer questions from constituents.

Armed Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced To 7 Years

Levonte C. Scales, 29, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of methamphetamine.  Scales pleaded guilty to this charge on December 13, 2021.

Wisconsin Dmv Ends Extension For Drivers Ages 60+ March 31

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds licensed drivers who are ages 60+ and whose license expired in January, February or March 2022, must renew their license by March 31, 2022.

The most recent driver license renewal extension for ages 60 and over ends March 31, 2022. 

Elections Commission Rejects Complaint Over Republicans Who Cast State’s Electoral Votes For Trump

The state Elections Commission voted unanimously to reject a complaint against 10 Republican electors who submitted documents to the federal government claiming they were casting Wisconsin’s votes for Donald Trump even though Joe Biden won the state.

Commissioner Bob Spindell participated in the unanimous commission vote despite being one of the 10 electors who was accused of breaking the law.

Aaron Rodgers' Packers Contract Is Reportedly Official, And The Numbers Are Staggering

The contract between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers has been signed. Pelissero and Rapoport tweeted details of the contract, including yearly salary, and the numbers are staggering.