Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Biden Plans Even Bigger Student Loan Handout

In response to the Supreme Court overturning President Biden’s $300 billion student debt scheme, the Biden administration is now taking a shot at an even larger plan to transfer student debt onto taxpayers.

President Biden’s "SAVE Plan" radically overhauls the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) program meant to aid lower-income borrowers in paying back their loans and turns it into yet another massive loan forgiveness scheme.

This latest attempt to cancel student debt would allow a majority of bachelor’s degree student loan borrowers to not even pay back the principal on their loans.

Proud Boys’ Enrique Tarrio Gets Record 22 Years In Prison For Jan. 6 Seditious Conspiracy

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced Tuesday to 22 years in prison for orchestrating a failed plot to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 election, capping the case with the stiffest punishment that has been handed down yet for the U.S. Capitol attack.

Tarrio, 39, pleaded for leniency before the judge imposed the prison term topping the 18-year sentences given to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and one-time Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean for seditious conspiracy and other convictions stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Questions Over Biden’s Age Are Getting Sharper

The issue of President Biden’s age isn’t going anywhere. 

Concerns around the oldest president in history are growing sharper, if anything, as he begins his reelection campaign in earnest.

A NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll released Tuesday found 80 percent of respondents saying they were “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about Biden’s ability to serve effectively during a possible second term, given his age.

If the president wins re-election, he will be 82 at the time of his second inauguration and 86 at the conclusion of his term. The next oldest president at the end of his term was President Reagan, who left office in January 1989 aged 77.

Tropical Storm Lee Nears Hurricane Strength, Expected To Be "Extremely Dangerous" Hurricane By Weekend

Tropical Storm Lee was approaching hurricane strength early Wednesday and is "expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the weekend," the National Hurricane Center says.

"Continued steady to rapid strengthening is forecast and Lee is expected to become a hurricane later (Wednesday) and a major hurricane in a couple of days," the center continued.

Forecasters say it's too soon to project where Lee is headed in the U.S. but for now the Leeward Islands, where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet, should stay alert. Lee could impact the Leewards this weekend, the center said.

'Price Is Right' Host Bob Barker Died Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Longtime “Price Is Right” host Bob Barker died of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a death certificate viewed by NBC News.

Barker, who hosted the game show for 35 years, died Aug. 26 at age 99, according to his publicist and the death certificate.

He will be buried in Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles next to his wife, Dorothy Jo, who died in 1981, publicist Roger Neal said. There will be no memorial service, he said.

Wisconsin Headlines

Evidence Lacking In Republican Accusations Against Top Wisconsin Election Official

On Nov. 4, 2020, Meagan Wolfe hosted a virtual press conference to provide updates about Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election results and answer questions about how the election was conducted.

During the briefing, Wolfe, who serves as the nonpartisan administrator of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, was asked to respond to unfounded allegations of voter fraud lobbed by then-President Donald Trump — claims that started on election night and culminated, months later, in the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

DNR Acquires Over 1,800 Acres For Future Wildlife Habitat And Recreation In Jefferson County

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the acquisition of 1,830 acres adjacent to Princes Point Wildlife Area in Jefferson County. The addition nearly doubles the size of the state property, located about 3 miles northeast of Whitewater.

The property, currently managed as a muck farm, will initially be closed to the public to allow for the completion of several wetland restoration projects, starting as soon as late 2023. The DNR will also add infrastructure, signage and parking lots for the public to safely access the property upon completing these projects, expected as early as 2025. Once open to the public, this new wildlife area will provide excellent waterfowl hunting, paddling and bird-watching opportunities.

AG Kaul Highlights School Safety Programs As The Academic Year Starts

To celebrate the beginning of the school year, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is reminding students about the Office of School Safety.

Kaul traveled to both Waukesha and Middleton to share how the office's programs will help keep students safe this year.

One of the programs Kaul highlighted was Speak Up, Speak Out, a 24/7 tipline people can use to report school safety issues. He also mentioned the state's 12 critical incident response teams.

Complaints Over Campaign Comments By Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Are Dismissed

A state judiciary disciplinary panel has rejected several complaints lodged against Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz that alleged she violated the judicial code of ethics for comments she made during the campaign. It’s a setback to Republicans who argued those remarks could warrant impeachment.

Protasiewicz on Tuesday released a letter from the Wisconsin Judicial Commission informing her that “several complaints” regarding comments she had made during the campaign had been dismissed without action.

State Dem Party Announces $4M Effort To Target GOP Lawmakers Over Protasiewicz Impeachment Threats

The state Dem Party announced a $4 million campaign to target GOP lawmakers over threats to impeach liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, with state Chair Ben Wikler vowing the effort will ask Republicans if they’re “willing to sign a death warrant for democracy in our state.”

Wikler said the party will put $1 million toward the effort with its allies accounting for the rest. He declined to name the other groups involved, leaving it to them to announce their plans. Dubbed “Defend Justice,” Wikler said the party’s efforts will involve outreach to voters through doors, text messages and public events. He added other groups involved will put up a multi-million dollar ad campaign.