Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Sept. 3, 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

Epstein Saga Engulfs Congress On Return To Washington

Congress returned to Washington this week consumed with the case over convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an issue that has dividedm President Trump‘s base and stoked backlash against his administration.

House GOP leaders are hoping to tamp down a rebellion in their ranks over Epstein. The tug-and-pull over GOP members’ demands for more documents and testimony comes as lawmakers juggle the appropriations process and face an end-of-month deadline to fund the government.

In A Major Antitrust Ruling, A Judge Lets Google Keep Chrome But Levies Other Penalties

In a ruling aimed at restoring competition in the search engine market, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta refrained from ordering Google to sell off Chrome, the world's most popular browser, but ordered the tech company to end exclusive deals that make Google the default search engine on phones and other devices.

The company will not, however, be barred from paying device makers to preload its products, including its search engine and its Gemini AI chatbot.

More Than 1,000 HHS Staff Call On RFK Jr. To Resign

More than 1,000 current and former employees of the Department of Health and Human Services are demanding that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. resign, following his ousting of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other actions they say are “compromising the health of the nation.”

“Should he decline to resign, we call upon the President and U.S. Congress to appoint a new Secretary of Health and Human Services, one whose qualifications and experience ensure that health policy is informed by independent and unbiased peer-reviewed science. We expect those in leadership to act when the health of Americans is at stake,” a letter by the group of former and current employees, sent to Kennedy and members of Congress on Wednesday, states.

U.S. Military Strikes Drug-Carrying Boat From Venezuela

The U.S. military on Tuesday struck a drug-carrying boat hailing from Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, as tensions spike between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan government.

President Trump announced the strike during an unrelated Tuesday afternoon Oval Office event, saying the military had "shot out" the boat "moments ago." He said his team had been briefed on the strike by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The president later said on Truth Social that 11 people were killed in the strike, which he said targeted members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based organized crime group that the Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. He posted a video that appeared to show a military strike against a small boat.

How The Massive $1.3B Powerball Jackpot Compares To Other Big Lottery Prizes

Wednesday's Powerball jackpot has reached a staggering $1.3 billion, but how does that compare to other big lottery prizes? And how much will the winner actually take home if their ticket matches all the lucky numbers?

The massive prize, which offers a cash value of $589 million, marks the fifth-largest jackpot in Powerball history and comes after 40 consecutive drawings since May 31 without a winner.

Monday's numbers -- 8, 23, 25, 40, 53, with Powerball 5 and Power Play multiplier of 3 -- produced no jackpot winner. The next drawing is set for Wednesday night.

Wisconsin Budget Funding For Milwaukee Prosecutors May Violate State Constitution

A provision in the 2025-27 state budget that diverts $2.2 million annually from schools to pay for 12 Milwaukee County prosecutors may violate the Wisconsin Constitution.

The budget act redirects all traffic fines and forfeiture revenues in Milwaukee County to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office to fund 12 assistant district attorney positions that had been paid for with federal funding set to expire.

But under Article 10, Section 2, of Wisconsin’s constitution, all “clear proceeds” from traffic fines are required to go to the Common School Fund.

Debate Over Line 5 Pipeline Relocation Continues

Supporters of the Line 5 relocation project met Tuesday in Madison to highlight what they say are the benefits of the proposed reroute.

The existing Line 5 pipeline runs from Superior to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, crossing 12 miles of the Bad River Reservation. The relocation plan would reroute 41 miles of pipeline around the reservation.

Project backers said the relocation would create 700 union construction jobs, make propane more affordable and boost Wisconsin's economy. The Department of Natural Resources approved permits for the project last November following years of review.

Bangstad Files Federal Lawsuit To Unmask ICE Agents

The latest lawsuit from the founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company looks to force immigration agents to let people know who they are.

Kirk Bangstad on Tuesday announced that he has filed a federal class action lawsuit seeking to force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to publicly display their names, badge numbers, and agency insignia.

“Wisconsinites deserve to know who is policing their communities,” Bangstad said in a statement. “When ICE agents hide their identities, it creates an environment ripe for abuse—both by ICE officers themselves and by impersonators who use the cover of anonymity to assault, rob, and terrorize women.”

Report Says Growing Demand From Data Centers, Industry Could Stress Great Lakes Water

Great Lakes states should take steps to protect water resources from increasing demand from data centers and other industries, according to a new report.

The analysis by the nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes found data centers may withdraw as much as 150 billion gallons of water nationally over the next five years. The report said that’s the equivalent of water consumed by 4.6 million households.

“This demand is increasing in this region, and the states need to be planning for it,” said Helena Volzer, the report’s author.

2025 Bear Hunting Season Opens Today

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2025 bear hunting season opens on Wednesday, Sept. 3. With diligent scouting and preparation efforts, bear hunters should expect another year of quality bear hunting this fall.

This year, over 32,000 people applied for one of the 13,110 bear licenses available. Nearly 114,000 more people opted to purchase a preference point to improve their chances of drawing a license in a future lottery. With over 146,000 people applying for a license or purchasing a preference point, this year represents a new record high for bear hunting applications.

The 2025 bear season is open from Sept. 3 to Oct. 7, with specific regulations based on a hunter’s bear management zone. Hunters must know the management zone in which they are licensed to hunt and the specific bear hunting regulations within that zone.