Morning Headlines - Friday, Dec. 29, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Risks Of US Electoral Chaos Deepen After Trump Is Barred From Another State Ballot

Maine pitched the 2024 election into deeper chaos and constitutional confusion Thursday by becoming the second state to throw Donald Trump off the ballot over the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot.

The move from the Maine secretary of state – following a similar decision from the Colorado Supreme Court earlier this month – worsened a growing crisis for Trump’s campaign and strengthened the rationale for the US Supreme Court to take up the issue, arising from the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.” It has already exacerbated the havoc already surrounding the election and could cement ever wider national divides.

Caravan Of 6,000 Migrants Continues To Make Its Way To The US

Desperate migrants were seen clinging to the side of 'The Beast' train as it barreled towards the US-Mexico border, part of a huge 6,000-strong caravan currently headed towards America. 

Footage of the packed train showed it moving through Chihuahua, Mexico, at breakneck speed, with several dozen additional migrants finding space on the roof in hopes of continuing their journey to the border.

A large portion of the migrant caravan is expected to be headed towards El Paso, Texas, one of several border areas that have seen thousands of asylum seekers pass through each month. 

Nikki Haley Defends Leaving Slavery Out As Cause Of Civil War After Backlash

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Thursday sought to defend earlier comments that failed to mention slavery as a cause of the Civil War as she received backlash on social media.

"I mean, of course, the Civil War was about slavery," Haley said on The Pulse of New Hampshire Radio program "Good Morning NH with Jack Heath."

"We know that- that's, that's the easy part of it. What I was saying was, what does it mean to us today? What it means to us today is about freedom. That's what that was all about. It was about individual freedom, it was about economic freedom, it was about individual rights," she said.

The Moments That Stole A Divided America's Attention In 2023

Donald Trump and Taylor Swift managed to hold Americans' interest throughout 2023 while a host of other news cycles came and went, according to Axios' annual analysis of Google Trends data.

This project helps separate intense but fleeing interest from the few people and moments that actually captured widespread attention from a divided and distracted America.'

5 events generated particularly big spikes in search interest — moments that captured America's attention, but didn't necessarily hold it.

The Absolute Worst Political Predictions Of 2023

What’s compiled here is a collection of people and statements that were very, very wrong about politics this year. Sometimes, it was the result of hubris. Sometimes, wishcasting. In a few instances, it was an honest-to-God misread of the situation.

What they have in common, though, is that they were wrong. Which means that they were something for which there is a single word: human.

Wisconsin Headlines

States Are Trashing Troves Of Pandemic Gear As Stockpiles Expire

When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in an unprepared U.S., many states like Ohio scrambled for masks and other protective gear. Supplies were so limited in 2020 that the state bought millions of medical gowns from a marketing and printing company and spent about $20 million to try to get personal protective equipment made in-state.

Three years later, as the grips of the pandemic have loosened, Ohio and other states are now trying to deal with an excess of protective gear, ditching their supplies in droves.

UW-La Crosse Chancellor Fired Over Pornography Scandal Considering Litigation

The UW-La Crosse chancellor who was terminated unanimously by the UW System Board of Regents on Wednesday confirmed to Wisconsin's Morning News he is considering all of his legal options to contest the decision.

Dr. Joe Gow was fired after it was discovered he was making sexually explicit and pornographic content with his wife, WTMJ reports. "Sexy Happy Couple" produced a wide variety of videos and written content. Gow's wife, Carmen Wilson, is a former UW-La Crosse professor.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags To Half-staff In Honor Of Former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl

Following news of the passing of U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has ordered flags in the state to fly at half-staff beginning Thursday. The flags will remain at half-staff until the date of interment for the late former senator.

“A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country,” Gov. Evers said in a statement released Thursday. “Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing.”

Municipal, Health Leaders Say Wisconsin Isn't Moving Fast Enough To Stop Effects Of PFAS

Local leaders and health advocates in Wisconsin say the state isn't moving fast enough to address PFAS contamination.

An online panel hosted by Wisconsin Health News this month focused in part on legislation passed by the state Senate that would create grants for local governments and landowners to address PFAS pollution. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers indicated in October that he would consider vetoing the bill because it restricts the state Department of Natural Resources' ability to test and clean up the chemicals on private property.

Republicans and industry groups say the changes are needed to protect landowners who don't create PFAS pollution but who currently fall under the DNR's definition of an emitter. But environmental advocates say the change would make it easier to let corporations off the hook for pollution.

State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, is one of the bill's sponsors and spoke at the online panel. He said Senate Republicans met with the governor shortly before the bill passed the Senate, and he believes discussion between the two parties will continue.

Complaint Filed To Have Trump Removed From Wisconsin 2024 Ballot Denied

A complaint filed with the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) to have former president Donald Trump removed from the 2024 ballot has been denied. It's a decision that took less than three hours.

At 1 p.m. Thursday in Madison, Kirk Bangstad filed the complaint with the WEC.

Bangstad is the owner of Minocqua Brewing and filed the complaint following the ruling out of Colorado when its Supreme Court ruled last week the former president would not be on its state ballot.