Morning Headlines - Friday, Feb. 28, 2025

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

A Movement Is Calling For An 'Economic Blackout' On Friday

An organization is calling for a national boycott in the form of an "economic blackout" on Friday, urging Americans not to shop for 24 hours.

This movement, spearheaded by The People's Union USA, a grassroots group, follows the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at several companies, including Target. The boycott coincides with protests against President Donald Trump's plans to reduce the government workforce and mass firings at federal agencies.

China Vows To Retaliate As Necessary After Trump Threatens Another 10% Tariff Hike

China’s Ministry of Commerce said Friday that it “firmly opposes” U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to ramp up tariffs on Chinese goods and vowed retaliation, if necessary.

“If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will take all necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement, translated by CNBC.

The statement followed Trump’s announcement Thursday to slap China with an additional 10% in tariffs starting March 4.

Justice Department Releases First Phase Of Epstein Files

The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a Thursday packet with a flight log and contact information from Jeffery Epstein, a deceased convicted sex offender, and his circle of friends.

“The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a statement.

Information contained inside 341 pages was posted to the DOJ website for public review. Two hundred and thirty-six pages consisted of flight logs, 95 pages included redacted contact information, 7 pages featured a masseuse list and three pages were listed as evidence.

EU Launches Global Sting Operation Against AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, has conducted a “large-scale hit against child sexual exploitation” whose members are part of a criminal group engaging in the distribution of images of minors fully generated by artificial intelligence, authorities said.

With support from 19 countries in Europe, a total of 25 arrests were made worldwide in the operation -- named Operation Cumberland -- that was led by Danish law enforcement and carried out simultaneously on Wednesday, according to Europol.

Popular Chrome Extensions Hijacked By Hackers In Widespread Cyberattack — 3.2 Million At Risk

Just like you should with the apps on your phone, you also want to periodically go through your browser extensions and check to see which ones you have installed and what permissions you’ve given them access to. The reason for this is that you could have a malicious extension (or even several) installed in your web browser and not even know it.

As reported by Notebookcheck, a number of popular extensions that enable things like dark mode and adblocking in Google’s browser have been hijacked by hackers, putting 3.2 million Chrome users at risk.

Wisconsin Headlines

Judge Orders Wisconsin Prison System To Implement Program For Incarcerated Moms And Their Babies

A Dane County judge is ordering Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections to launch a program for incarcerated moms and their infants.

That’s after the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin won a lawsuit that it filed last year on behalf of two mothers who are locked up in state prisons.

In its suit, the ACLU cited a 1991 state law that requires Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections to provide a “mother-young child care program” for women in the system who are pregnant or a have a baby under 1 year old.

Dems, Republicans Clash Over Bill Requiring Sheriffs To Check Citizenship Of Those Arrested For Felonies

Democrats at a public hearing on a bill that would require local sheriffs to seek proof of citizenship from those arrested for felonies called the legislation unnecessary, while Republicans said it is needed to ensure safety.

Dem. Rep. Tip McGuire asked during the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety hearing yesterday why the Legislature should have the power to mandate the actions of local law enforcement on immigration enforcement.

Tammy Baldwin, Ron Johnson Get Earful From Constituents During Virtual Town Halls

Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators got an earful during virtual town halls, Thursday, and shared polar opposite views on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

While Democrat Tammy Baldwin blasted Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency’s mass firing of federal workers, Republican Ron Johnson referred to Musk as one of the most “brilliant, accomplished, effective human beings that have ever walked on planet Earth.”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Speaks On Corrections Reform Proposal

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is speaking out against Governor Evers' plans to reform our state’s correctional system, including the closing of the Green Bay Correctional Institution.

In an interview with our State Capitol Bureau Chief Vanessa Kjeldsen, Vos stated he wished the governor had included GOP Lawmakers in crafting the proposal, which was unveiled ahead of Evers' biennial budget address.

Wausau Man Sentenced To 14 Years For Leading Methamphetamine And Cocaine Trafficking Organization

Tommie L. Haney, 44, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced February 20 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 14 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of both methamphetamine and cocaine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Haney pleaded guilty to this charge on December 2, 2024.

In February 2022, Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force officers began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization operating in Wausau, Wisconsin. The multi-year investigation involved the seizure of drug-laden packages from the mail, controlled purchases of narcotics, and seizures of firearms and large quantities of drugs from residence searches. From the investigation, officers believe the drug trafficking organization was distributing kilograms quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.