Morning Headlines - Friday, Apr. 19, 2024 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Israel Strikes Back At Iran

Israel has conducted strikes in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault earlier this week, defying US President Joe Biden's warning that more attacks could plunge the Middle East further into conflict.

The city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israeli projectiles reported to have targeted an Air Force base near Isfahan which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

NPR Reels From Editor’s Public Rebuke, Allegations Of Liberal Bias

NPR is reeling from an ugly and contentious internal fight after an editor offered a scathing public criticism of his newsroom, saying left-wing bias threatened to erode trust with its listeners.

The editor, Uri Berliner, resigned just days after many of his furious colleagues expressed outrage that his public attacks on the outlet were not only wrong and self-serving but also deeply unfair.

Schumer Has Only Hours Left To Avoid FISA Warrantless Surveillance Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has less than 24 hours to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance program before it expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday, and he has a tough path ahead to meet the deadline.

Schumer needs to get around a coalition of Republican and Democratic senators who want to dramatically change the House-passed bill, which would almost certainly result in intelligence and law enforcement agencies losing important authorities for a few days.

Wayfair Set To Open Its First Physical Store

Wayfair is opening its first physical store next month in suburban Chicago, the Boston-based online furniture and home furnishings seller announced on Thursday.

The 150,000-square foot large-format store is located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Illinois, and will open its doors on May 23. Reminiscent of Ikea's store format, Wayfair's location will include a restaurant called "The Porch," the company said.

A TikTok Ban Is Wrapped In Speaker Johnson's Foreign Aid Package: What Happens Next?

A ban on the popular social media app TikTok in the United States is now lumped in with Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans' $95 billion foreign aid package, which would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

House Republican leaders late Wednesday posted legislative text on a fourth and final bill -- the "21st Century Peace Through Strength Act" -- that's part of the proposed aid package. The bill includes a modified version of the TikTok ban that passed the House earlier this year, as well as the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act, mandatory sanctions on Iran and more.

Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants From State Opioid Settlement Funds

Twelve Tribal nations, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies have received grants from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for projects to prevent and reduce the dangers of opioid use. The projects include community drug disposal systems; programs that keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail; education and training for staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program; and treatment for jail residents with an opioid use disorder.

"Law enforcement agencies are a key part of the fight against the opioid epidemic—not only through enforcement efforts, but also through prevention and intervention," said Attorney General Josh Kaul. "These investments are great examples of how the funds that DOJ has helped to secure are enhancing the work being done to address substance use disorder."

La Crosse Man Sentenced To 5 Years For Possessing Firearm As A Felon

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shane Tucker, 30, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Tucker pleaded guilty to this charge on January 22, 2024.

On July 20, 2023, La Crosse police officers responded to a reported domestic incident involving Tucker. The reporting party said that Tucker was carrying a handgun in his backpack, and another witness to the incident said that Tucker threatened to “shoot this whole place up.” When officers contacted Tucker, they found a loaded .22 caliber silver handgun in a backpack that he had been carrying but tried to hide. Tucker has two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

Republican Lawmakers File Lawsuit Challenging Partial Vetoes By Evers To Student Literacy Bill

Republican legislators have filed a second lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ partial veto powers, this time alleging that he improperly struck sections of a bill that set up a plan to spend $50 million on student literacy.

Republican lawmakers filed their suit on April 16 in Dane County Circuit Court. The action centers on a pair of bills designed to improve K-12 students’ reading performance.

Former US Rep. Peter Barca Announces Run For Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District

A Democrat who represented southeast Wisconsin in Congress in the 1990s before going on to become a leader in the Assembly and state revenue secretary announced April 18 that he’s running for Congress again.

Peter Barca announced his bid against Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who is seeking a fourth term. Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, previously represented by former House Speaker Paul Ryan, leans Republican but was made more competitive under new boundary lines adopted in 2022.

Vice President Harris Returning To Wisconsin For Third Visit This Year

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to return to Wisconsin next week for her third visit to the battleground state this year.

President Joe Biden's campaign announced Thursday that Harris plans to campaign in La Crosse on Monday at an event focused on abortion rights. The White House said Harris will also hold a second event there focused on the economy and health care.