Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Sept. 17, 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

Charlie Kirk Suspect On ‘Special Watch’ In Jail

The 22-year-old man accused of assassinating conservative political activist Charlie Kirk appeared in court Tuesday wearing a protective vest and special gown in jail.

Tyler Robinson showed no emotion during the virtual hearing as he faced seven charges, including aggravated murder and witness tampering, in connection with Kirk’s death last week at Utah Valley University.

Under Sheriff Sean Bufton confirmed that Robinson was wearing a protective gown and remains on “special watch right now until we see how he’s going to continue to act in the jail.”

Government Shutdown Odds Go Up After Party Leaders Exchange Fire

The odds of a government shutdown are rising after Democratic leaders on Tuesday swiftly rejected a 91-page stopgap funding proposal unveiled by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and fellow House Republicans because it was put together with little Democratic input and doesn’t extend generous health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Democrats voted more than a dozen times to extend federal funding with short-term “clean” continuing resolutions when former President Biden was president and they controlled the Senate, but now they’re drawing a hard line on what ordinarily would be a noncontroversial funding proposal.

NPR To Trim $5 Million This Year As Public Radio Stations Struggle To Pay Bills

NPR executives are scanning the horizon for storm clouds even as they are planning a stand-pat budget for the upcoming fiscal year: they don't yet know how badly NPR local member stations have been hurt by the July vote by Congress to cease all federal funding for public media.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher told the board of directors in an open session Friday that the network's $300 million annual budget would be balanced. Like that of the federal government, NPR's fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

OpenAI Releases First-Of-Kind Study Revealing How People Are Using ChatGPT For Everyday Tasks

Despite rapid adoption of large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, few comprehensive studies have delved into exactly how the technology is being used in everyday life — that is, until now.

On Tuesday, researchers, including those from OpenAI, released a first-of-its-kind study that examines who was using ChatGPT and for what purposes based on internal messages sent to ChatGPT on consumer plans.

Amongst the key findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research working paper was the surge in non-work related messages, jumping to 73% in June 2025 from 53% a year ago.

Minecraft YouTuber Finally Set To Reach ‘End Of World’ After 14 Years

A Minecraft player who has been walking endlessly to reach the ‘end’ of the map is finally close to his goal.

Minecraft often feels like a cozy game, especially since you can use the best mods and just let your creativity take over to build whatever you want. But beyond all that, there are some things that can look a little… eerie, in a way. Like the “Far Lands”, for example.

For over a decade, a YouTuber known as KurtJMac has been on a mission to complete one extremely challenging task, which involves reaching this distorted-looking location.

Wisconsin Headlines

Bill Introduced Addressing Free Speech In University Of Wisconsin System

A new bill introduced by four of Wisconsin's republican legislators focuses on free speech at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. The proposed legislation aims to uphold First Amendment protections and ensure due process in disciplinary proceedings.

The bil prohibits UW institutions and technical colleges from restricting speech, as long as it's legal, and "does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of the UW institution or technical college".

Furthermore, it says the schools may not sanction people for discriminatory harassment, barring cases where the speech targets its victim on the basis of lawfully protected class, and is "so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive" that a student cannot receive equal access to educational opportunities.

Sen. Larson, Dems Pitch Open-Records Update For Voucher Schools

Democrats in Wisconsin continue to target choice schools with new proposed rules.

The latest came Tuesday from Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, that would require voucher schools in the state to follow Wisconsin’s open meeting rules.

"Open meetings and public records - these are hallmarks of transparency and accountability that we have come to expect from our government. So why are taxpayer-funded voucher schools not subject to either of these things? Good question!" Larson wrote on X. "With over $700 million in tax revenue going toward private schools every year, this is the bare minimum we should expect in return."

Wisconsin’s open meeting rules apply to public bodies, like public schools and local governments. Private schools or religious schools, since their leaders are not elected, are not covered by things like meeting notices, and FOIA requests.

Following Kirk Assassination, Van Orden Bill Would Cut Off Federal Funds When Employees ‘Celebrate Political Violence’

As conservative activists call attention to Wisconsinites they claim are celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Republican congressman Derrick Van Orden has introduced legislation to defund entities employing people “who condone and celebrate political violence and domestic terrorism.”

Free speech advocates say the bill is likely unconstitutional and the government shouldn’t decide which groups get federal funding based on employees’ private comments.

The proposal comes as conservatives have been sharing screenshots of social media posts from people they deem to be celebrating the murder of one of the most prominent voices on the political right.

Evers Issues Executive Order Seeking To Ensure Access To Vaccines

Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order directing The Department of Health Services to take any steps available to ensure Wisconsinites have access to vaccines.

Among other things, the guv’s order directs the Wisconsin DHS to “ensure vaccine access for Wisconsinites to the fullest extent of the law and available funding.”

It’s the latest step by a Dem guv related to vaccines since the Trump administration under the direction of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has curtailed access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Chippewa Falls Man Sentenced To 7 Years For Methamphetamine Trafficking

Chadwick M. Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Leroy T. McNamara, 62, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, was sentenced on September 5, 2025, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 7 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. McNamara pleaded guilty to this charge on the same day.

During July 2024, McNamara sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two occasions for a total of 335 grams.

At the sentencing, Judge Conley remarked that McNamara’s willingness to trade on the addictions of others through his escalated drug dealing made him a danger to society.