Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 | Recent News

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

Mamdani Wins New York City Mayor’s Race

Mamdani focused heavily on affordability, pledging to freeze rent, establish city-owned grocery stores and make buses free for riders. He quickly became a progressive icon as well as a polarizing figure within the party over his positions, so much so that it divided prominent New York Democratic leadership over whether to endorse him.

One of the biggest flash points in the race, however, centered on his views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Dems Win Big Across US; GOP Zeroes In On Mamdani As Liability

Democrats won big Tuesday in key state and local races across the United States that were seen as bellwethers on the second term of Republican President Donald Trump, and Republicans responded by digging in against New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim immigrant and self-described democratic socialist.

New Jersey and Virginia voters elected Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, respectively, over their Republican opponents in gubernatorial elections, and three Democratic justices were retained on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In Democratic-leaning California, voters approved a mid-decade congressional redistricting that could grant the party up to five more seats in the U.S. House.

Supreme Court Enters The Lion's Den On Trump Tariffs

The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a consequential case with potentially profound economic consequences for the country and the presidency: The issue is tariffs.

Standing in the Rose Garden last April, President Trump proclaimed what he called "liberation day," a day that "will be remembered as the day American industry was reborn."

In A Volatile Week For Interest Rates, Mortgage Demand Pulled Back

For the week, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, increased to 6.31% from 6.30%

Applications to refinance a home loan, which are most sensitive to daily moves in interest rates, fell 3% for the week.

Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home dropped 1% for the week and were 26% higher than the same week one year ago.

Government Shutdown Becomes Longest In History: How We Got Here And What's Next

The government shutdown on Wednesday entered its 36th day, officially becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

That means the two longest shutdowns in American politics have occurred under President Donald Trump, with the previous 35-day record having been set during his first term in 2019.

There's been little movement on Capitol Hill over the past five weeks as Republicans and Democrats blame one another for the stalemate. Democrats are keeping up their demand for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Trump and Republicans say they won't negotiate until the government is reopened.

GOP Bill To Ban Ballot Drop Boxes In Wisconsin Spurs Intraparty Debate

A Republican bill that would ban absentee ballot drop boxes in Wisconsin spurred debate among GOP lawmakers Tuesday about whether the proposal is based in reality.

The discussion highlighted a potential rift in the party between those who think the GOP should pass election bills that could become law in Wisconsin and those who want Republicans to closely adhere to the wishes of President Donald Trump.

Underly Responds To Criticism Over Investigations Into Teacher Sexual Misconduct

Wisconsin’s top education official Jill Underly outlined solutions to better protect students from teacher sexual misconduct on Tuesday, including a new database to make it easier to look up teacher licenses that have been revoked or suspended.

“The Department does not cover up misconduct,” State Superintendent Underly told reporters ahead of the hearing.

$700M Natural Gas Pipeline Upgrade Comes Online In Wisconsin

A $700 million natural gas pipeline enhancement project designed to improve reliability and meet rising demand came online in Wisconsin and northern Illinois at the start of the month.

TC Energy, a Canadian company with a U.S. headquarters in Texas, announced the completion of the project on Monday.

The “Wisconsin Reliability Project” replaced about 51 miles of aging pipeline across Wisconsin and northern Illinois with modern infrastructure. The company said the change would improve safety and reliability.

Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Bills To Increase Local Power

Democratic lawmakers have introduced a series of bills they say will empower local governments.

Sen. Mark Spreitzer of Beloit highlighted the challenges cities and villages face, noting they have been asked to do more with fewer resources. To pay for that, many communities have turned to referendums, raising taxes and placing strain on community members.

Rep. Clinton Anderson of Beloit emphasized the need for local financial control.

Wisconsin DHS: Weeks Or Months For Food Stamp Benefits

It could be a while before people in Wisconsin see their November food stamp benefits.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Monday said it will take weeks to process the partial payment ordered by the Trump Administration “Due to the many steps that need to be taken, as well as the likely bottleneck of only having two vendors that can deploy benefits to cards,” DHS said in a statement.