Morning Headlines - Wednesday, May 14, 2025

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 Announces $600 Billion Saudi Investment In U.S. During Trump Visit

President Donald Trump spoke at a U.S.-Saudi investment forum in Riyadh.

The White House announced Saudi Arabia’s commitment to invest $600 billion in a series of deals with the U.S.

Trump said during the speech that he will order the cessation of sanctions against Syria.

Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson Among Players Reinstated By MLB

In a historic, sweeping decision, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday removed Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other deceased players from Major League Baseball's permanently ineligible list.

The all-time hit king and Jackson -- both longtime baseball pariahs stained by gambling, seen by MLB as the game's mortal sin -- are now eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Manfred ruled that MLB's punishment of banned individuals ends upon their deaths.

Judge Cuts Menendez Brothers' Sentences Giving Them Chance Of Freedom

A Los Angeles judge has reduced the sentence of Erik and Lyle Menendez, making them eligible for parole more than 30 years after they killed their parents in a Beverly Hills mansion.

Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers on Tuesday, after hearing evidence from family members about their attempts to make amends while behind bars.

The district attorney had argued that they were not rehabilitated, but now the state parole board could order the brothers' release as early as next month.

Minnesota's Raging Camp House Fire Explodes To Nearly 12,000 Acres

Three major wildfires raging out of control in the same Minnesota county have burned more than 20,000 acres combined, destroying dozens of structures, triggering evacuations and prompting the governor to call in the state National Guard to help battle the flames.

The largest fire in St. Louis County -- the Camp House Fire -- exploded overnight to nearly 12,000 acres and was 0% contained on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Men Are More Likely To Die Of 'Broken Heart Syndrome,' Study Says

After a traumatic event like a divorce or the death of a loved one, some people may experience chest pain and shortness of breath — the result of a condition known colloquially as “broken heart syndrome.”

The syndrome, which doctors formally call takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is thought to be triggered by physical or emotional stress, which releases bursts of stress hormones like adrenaline that prevent people’s hearts from contracting properly. Most patients recover quickly, but a small minority suffer heart failure.

Wisconsin Headlines

20 Democratic Attorneys General Sue Trump Administration Over Conditions Placed On Federal Funds

A coalition of 20 state Democratic attorneys general filed two federal lawsuits on May 13, claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in transportation and disaster-relief funds unless states agree to certain immigration enforcement actions.

According to the complaints, both Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have threatened to cut off funding to states that refuse to comply with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan Indicted In Federal Court

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted by a federal grand jury following her arrest last month.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney in Eastern Wisconsin confirmed a grand jury found probable cause to indict the judge on Tuesday.

Dugan was arrested last month for allegedly helping a wanted man evade arrest by federal immigration agents.

Following her arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court temporarily suspended Dugan of her official duties.

Assembly Approves Bill Allowing Pharmacists To Prescribe Birth Control

The Assembly today broadly approved a bipartisan bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control to those 18 years or older.

AB 43, which passed 87-10, applies to oral hormonal contraceptives and hormonal contraceptive patches.

Ten Republicans voted against the bill, including Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego. He was the only lawmaker who spoke ahead of the vote.

Wichgers in explaining his opposition said, “the faulty and incorrect use of the pill makes the pill ineffective.”

JFC Sets $100 Billion As Starting Point For Next State Budget

It was a disappointing, but all too predictable, start to the state budget writing process last week.

The Joint Committee on Finance began by tossing the governor’s $120 billion budget proposal – choosing instead to use the current budget as its starting point.

The current $100 billion budget.

In other words, they don’t plan to cut anything.

Analysis Shows Most Wisconsin Schools Have Student Cell Phone Restrictions

Republican lawmakers are pushing for a statewide ban on student cell phone use in classrooms. But a new analysis shows most Wisconsin schools already have some type of restrictions.

A new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum analyzed 2024 survey results from more than 300 schools and districts across the state. The data shows around 70 percent of respondents reported only allowing cell phone use in common areas, around 20 percent had full bans and the remaining 10 percent had no restrictions at all.