Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Senate Republicans Watch McCarthy Ouster With Alarm, Disbelief

Senate Republicans are watching the rebellion against Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the House with serious alarm and are concerned over what the chaos will mean for the GOP’s brand in the 2024 election.

GOP senators are worried about the party’s ability to govern over the next 13 months and whether they’ll be able to avoid a government shutdown later this year.

They also feel anxious about the growing radicalization of their party’s base.

Kevin McCarthy Has Been Ousted As Speaker Of The House. Here's What Happens Next

The House on Tuesday voted 216 to 210 to remove California Republican Kevin McCarthy from his position as House speaker, a historic move that comes days after he reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown with the help of House Democrats.

The ouster came after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz acted Monday night to force a vote on a motion to vacate the office of the speaker, following through on a threat he made last week to take the gavel from the California Republican while the threat of a shutdown loomed.

N.Y. Judge Orders Trump To Delete 'Disparaging' Post About His Law Clerk And Threatens Sanctions

The judge presiding over Donald Trump's $250 million civil fraud trial in New York issued a partial gag order Tuesday after the former president trashed his law clerk on social media.

"Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I won’t tolerate it," an angry Judge Arthur Engoron said following Trump's post and comments about his law clerk.

"Consider this a gag order on all parties with respect to posting or publicly speaking about any member of my staff," Engoron said, warning that violations would be met with swift and meaningful sanctions.

3 Scientists Win Nobel Prize In Chemistry For Their Work On Tiny Quantum Dots

Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their work on quantum dots — tiny particles that can release very bright colored light and are used in electronics and medical imaging.

Moungi Bawendi, of MIT; Louis Brus, of Columbia University; and Alexei Ekimov, of Nanocrystals Technology Inc., were honored for their work with the particles just a few atoms in diameter and that “have unique properties and now spread their light from television screens and LED lamps,” according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which announced the award in Stockholm.

A Federal Emergency Alert Will Be Sent To US Phones Nationwide On Wednesday - Here’s What It Means

Millions of phones, TVs and radios across the US will receive an alert on Wednesday as part of a nationwide test for an emergency alert system.

At 2.20pm ET, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will test the Emergency Alert System for TV and radio sets, and the Wireless Emergency Alerts for phones.

Elderly Man Dead After Being Buried Inside A Silo In Kenosha County

An elderly man was found dead after being buried inside a silo in Kenosha County on Tuesday.

According to Kansasville Fire and Rescue Department, emergency crews were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of an elderly man stuck inside a silo in the 1500 block of 240th Ave. in the Town of Brighton.

Several agencies responded to the scene and quickly initiated life-saving efforts to resuscitate the unresponsive man. Officials say he was initially located buried under corn silage contained within the silo.

New Bill Would Make Monarchs Wisconsin's State Butterfly

Wisconsin lawmakers are working to make the monarch the state's butterfly through a new bill proposal.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the monarch isn't endangered, but it is at risk due to habitat loss, disease and climate change. The agency reports that more than 80 percent of the species has died off in the past few decades.

Lawmakers hope this legislation could bring awareness to the insect's struggles.

This Historic Frank Lloyd Wright Property Is For Sale In Milwaukee

In 1916, before Frank Lloyd Wright traveled to Japan to oversee construction of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, he designed a home in Milwaukee for an alderman and his family.

Now, more than 100 years later, that home is for sale for only the second time in its history, complete with many of its original architectural elements — including leaded glass windows, a central fireplace and built-in cabinetry.

The Frederick C. Bogk House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is believed to be the only single-family residential project Wright designed for a family in the city of Milwaukee.

Lawsuit Argues Absentee Ballot Witness Signature Requirement Violates Voting Rights Act

Four Wisconsin absentee voters have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state requirement that a witness sign their ballot envelopes, arguing it violates the federal Voting Rights Act.

The suit argues the federal law bans requiring a voter to have someone vouch for their qualifications. It also argues locating a witness willing to attest to their qualifications to vote is a burden and seeks an order barring enforcement of the requirement.

The suit is the latest in Wisconsin to challenge requirements for those voting absentee as the state is again expected to be one of the most closely contested in the presidential election. One pending in Dane County Circuit Court, for example, seeks an order nullifying a requirement that those voting absentee have their ballot envelopes signed by a witness.

Office of School Safety Releases 2022-2023 Annual Speak Up, Speak Out Report

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) today released the 2022-2023 Annual Report for Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO). SUSO is more than a free statewide threat reporting tipline available to all Wisconsin schools. It is the hub that connects all OSS initiatives and the entry point where schools can access comprehensive services offered by OSS as well as local, state, and national partners.

“Speak Up, Speak Out resource center analysts are having a positive impact on school safety in Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the members of our outstanding team in the Office of School Safety for their work helping to keep students in Wisconsin safe.”