Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Nov. 19, 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

Epstein Files Bill Awaits Trump’s Signature After Clearing Congress

Both the House and Senate unanimously passed a bill requiring the Justice Department to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, paving the way for the publication of thousands of documents.

The bill now awaits President Donald Trump‘s signature. If he vetoes the bill, it could be overridden by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

The bill’s passage is a pivotal moment in a yearslong push for accountability over abuse allegations and a reckoning of law enforcement officials’ failure to act under multiple presidential administrations.

GOP Senators Worry Trump’s $2K Tariff Rebates Will Add Too Much To Debt

Senate Republicans are wrestling over what to do about President Trump’s proposal to give $2,000 tariff dividend checks to most Americans amid widespread Republican concern over the soaring national debt.

While GOP lawmakers generally favor sending money back to American taxpayers, there is a strong push among Senate Republicans to use hundreds of billions of dollars the government is collecting from higher tariffs to pay down the huge national debt.

Trump wants to hand out big checks to millions of American families to help offset the higher costs of goods due in part to steeper tariffs on imports from around the world.

Poll: Democrats Have Biggest Advantage For Control Of Congress In 8 Years

Heading into the 2026 midterm elections, there are some very big warning signs for Republicans in the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll.

The survey of 1,443 adults, conducted from Nov. 10-13 found:

• Democrats holding their largest advantage, 14 points, since 2017 on the question of who respondents would vote for if the midterm elections were held today;
• President Trump's approval rating is just 39%, his lowest since right after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol;
• A combined 6-in-10 blame congressional Republicans or Trump for the government shutdown; and 
• Nearly 6-in-10 say Trump's top priority should be lowering prices — and no other issue comes close.

Jeep Reveals Wrangler-Inspired Recon EV, Starting At $65,000

Jeep’s new all-electric SUV will start at $65,000, the American SUV brand announced Tuesday.

The 2026 Jeep Recon has been years in the making, as the idea of an EV inspired by the brand’s iconic off-road Wrangler SUV was first revealed in 2021.

The Recon is part of a Jeep turnaround plan that included revealing four new or redesigned products in four months ahead of the vehicles arriving in dealerships in the months ahead.

Ultra-Processed Foods Threaten Public Health — Researchers

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) pose a significant threat to public health and require urgent attention, according to global health experts.

More than 40 experts from around the world published their research in top medical journal The Lancet, blaming UPFs for poor diets globally and a rise in diseases, from obesity to cancer.

"It's about the evidence we have today about … ultra-processed foods and human health," Carlos Monteiro, a lead researcher from University of Sao Paulo, said at an online briefing on Tuesday. 

"What we know right now justifies global public action."

Wisconsin Headlines

Vos Blocks Bill To Expand Medicaid Funds For New Moms In Wisconsin

The most powerful Republican in Wisconsin stepped up to a lectern that was affixed with a sign reading, “Pro-Women Pro-Babies Pro-Life Rally.”

“One of the reasons that I ran for office was to protect the lives of unborn children,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the cheering crowd gathered in the ornate rotunda of the state Capitol. They were there on a June day in 2019 to watch him sign four anti-abortion bills and to demand that the state’s Democratic governor sign them. (The governor did not.)

Senate Republicans Pass “No Brainer” Legislation, Dems Talk Affordability

Republican state senators at the Wisconsin Capitol spent their Tuesday passing a series of all-but-certainly doomed pieces of legislation that they say are common sense, and a “no brainer.”

Republicans pushed through a series of votes to do everything from having the University of Wisconsin publicize its fees, to clarify Wisconsin’s abortion language, and to stop the state from ever giving healthcare to illegal immigrants.

“We're looking at something that is really a no-brainer,” Sen Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, told reporters at the statehouse. “By Wisconsin law we cannot force an individual to leave the country. So it looks like we're going to be dealing with at least this part of it, with healthcare benefits by passing this legislation.”

Senate Sends To Evers Bill Barring Use Of Public Funds For Health Care For Those Illegally In The U.S.

The Senate today signed off on legislation that would bar the use of public funds to cover the health care costs of those in the country illegally, a move some Dems denounced as immoral and cruel.

The Senate approved the bill 21-12 with three Dems — Sarah Keyeski, of Lodi; Brad Pfaff, of Onalaska; and Jamie Wall, of Green Bay — joining all Republicans in the chamber in backing it. The bill, which passed the Assembly in September, now goes to Gov. Tony Evers.

Wisconsin State Senate Passes Bill Redefining Abortion

The Wisconsin State Senate voted on over 60 bills and joint resolutions on Tuesday, passing measures to redefine abortion, prohibit public funding for health care for people living in the country illegally and make it a felony to damage certain historical property.

All bills will have to also be passed by the Assembly and signed by the state’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers before becoming law.

Gov. Evers Urges Trump To Reverse Wisconsin Disaster Aid Denial

Gov. Tony Evers is urging the Trump Administration to reconsider its decision to deny Wisconsin communities tens of millions of dollars in disaster relief.

In October, the Trump Administration denied Wisconsin communities Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant program funding. The denial follows severe storms and flooding in August that caused extensive damage.