Morning Headlines - Friday, April 11, 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

Beijing Slaps 125% Tariffs On U.S. Goods In Latest U.S.-China Trade Escalation

China retaliated Friday to higher U.S. tariffs, slapping 125% levies on U.S. goods, but signaled it would apply no further measures in the future.

"If the U.S. continues to increase tariffs on Chinese exports, China will not respond," China's Ministry of Finance said in a statement announcing the new levies, in a sign that Chinese authorities see no real upside to any further tit-for-tat measures beyond these.

"Given the current level of tariffs, U.S. goods exported to China are no longer market-viable," the statement added by way of explanation.

Meta Vs. The FTC: The Blockbuster Antitrust Trial Kicks Off

Meta will face off against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Monday in a high-stakes antitrust trial that could result in the company divesting Instagram and WhatsApp.

The upcoming trial in Washington is expected to last several weeks and centers around the FTC’s allegations that Meta monopolizes the personal social networking market.

The trial will test the boundaries of the U.S.’s antitrust laws pertaining to corporate acquisitions, said Prasad Krishnamurthy, a law professor at U.C. Berkeley Law.

What To Know About Trump’s ATF Shake-Up, Kash Patel’s Removal

The Trump administration swapped out its high-profile acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI Director Kash Patel, for its lesser-known Army secretary on Wednesday.

The White House and Department of Justice (DOJ), which oversees the ATF, have been tight-lipped about what prompted the administrative shuffle.

Reuters was the first to report the changeover Wednesday, but the newswire noted it was unclear when Patel was formally removed or when Dan Driscoll, the top civilian official in the Army, was notified that he would be taking over ATF duties.

Hudson River Helicopter Crash Kills Family Of Five

Six people, including three children, were killed after a helicopter carrying a family of tourists crashed into the Hudson River in New York, authorities have said.

The family of five was from Spain and the sixth person was the pilot, New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters on Thursday. All were onboard the helicopter at the time of the crash, which is under investigation.

Should We Be Bringing Back Extinct Species? Ethical Concerns Raised After Dire Wolf Allegedly Resurrected

The recent claim that a U.S. biotechnology company resurrected the long-extinct dire wolf through genetic engineering seemed to shock the science world.

The species of canine -- about the same size as a modern gray wolf -- was native to the Americas but went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences, the company behind the revived dire wolf and based in Dallas, said it is "a scientific breakthrough for global conservation efforts" and is even trying to bring back the extinct woolly mammoth by 2028.

Man Accused Of Abducting Beaver Dam Teen Waives Extradition

The man accused of kidnapping a pregnant teen from Beaver Dam waived extradition Thursday in Sarpy County, Nebraska, court.

Gary Day, 40, waived extradition for charges outside of Nebraska on two separate cases, WMTV’s sister station WOWT said. This means he has voluntarily agreed to return to other jurisdictions where he faces charges. Both Arkansas and Wisconsin have requested he be extradited.

Ben Wikler To Step Down From Leadership Role With Democratic Party Of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler, who revitalized the party in the swing state, will be leaving his position in June 2025 after a six-year run that included a string of victories and "agonizingly close" losses in 2022 and 2024.

Rep. Tiffany Introduces World Trade Organization Withdrawal Measure

Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced a joint resolution calling for the United States to formally withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO), a deeply flawed globalist institution that has repeatedly failed to uphold fair trade and undermined American economic interests.

Wisconsin DMV Launches New Fed Med Card Requirement April 13

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is among the first states to implement a new federal regulation that streamlines medical paperwork for commercial drivers.

Beginning April 13, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will automatically provide the Wisconsin DMV with Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders’ medical information within 48 hours of their DOT physical examination. In the past, the medical certificate, or Fed Med card, would be given to the driver who then had to submit the card to the DMV. The process will now be handled electronically.

State Democrats Propose Bill To Deter Election Bribery In Wisconsin

State Democrats are asking for change in state elections. The Petition Payment Prohibition Act would make being paid to sign a petition around election time illegal.

Democrats are hoping to get support across the aisle by Republicans for this bill, a bill they say will make it clear elections cannot be bought.