Morning Headlines - Friday, Jan. 17, 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 and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Power Lines, Hikers, Arson: Inside The Effort To Uncover What Started LA's Fires

Without answers, some in fire-prone California are filling in the gaps themselves. Fingers have been pointed at arsonists, power company utilities or even a blaze days prior in the Pacific Palisades that was snuffed out but may have re-ignited in the face of Santa Ana winds blowing at 80-100mph last week.

Investigators are examining all those theories and more. They're following dozens of leads in the hopes that clues in burn patterns, surveillance footage and testimony from first responders and witnesses can explain why Los Angeles saw two of the most destructive fire disasters in US history ignite on 7 January, so far killing 27 people and destroying more than 12,000 homes and businesses.

Biden Sets Record For Most Pardons And Commutations With New Round Of Clemency For Nonviolent Drug Offenders

President Joe Biden said Friday he is commuting the sentences of more than 2,000 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, cementing his legacy as the president who has issued the most individual pardons and commutations in U.S. history.

Biden said in a statement that commuting the nearly 2,500 sentences would help "equalize" sentencing disparities.

TikTok Prepares To Shut Down App In US On Sunday, Sources Say

The law signed in April mandates a ban on new TikTok downloads on Apple or Google app stores if Chinese parent ByteDance fails to divest the site.

Users who have downloaded TikTok would theoretically still be able to use the app, except that the law also bars U.S. companies starting Sunday from providing services to enable the distribution, maintenance, or updating of it.

The Trump transition team did not have an immediate comment. Trump has said he should have time after taking office to pursue a "political resolution" of the issue.

What To Know About 'Quad-demic' Of COVID, Flu, RSV And Norovirus In US

Four viruses are currently circulating in the United States, which some have referred to as a "quad-demic."

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed an increase in three respiratory viruses—COVID-19, flu and RSV—and the gastrointestinal disease norovirus.

Emergency department visits are "high" and "very high" for flu and RSV, respectively, and "elevated" for COVID-19 across the U.S.

As of the week ending Jan. 4, 18.6% of tests for influenza are returning positive, as are 11.6% of RSV tests and 6.9% of COVID tests.

Australians ‘Outraged’ Over Thongs, G-Strings Being Banned By Politicians

Australian politicians in New South Wales have banned thongs and g-strings at local pools and many swimmers are “outraged” by the decision. Many see this as some sort of double standard because men don’t have their attire regulated at the pools.

The Guardian reports that “a council in Greater Sydney has announced it is banning G-string bikinis at its public pools without providing further details about how the rule will be policed, sparking debate about gender standards.”

Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker Dies At Age 90

Milwaukee Brewers legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker died Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers announced. He was 90 years old.

The team described the loss as “the heaviest of burdens” in a statement.

“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss,” the team stated.

Cases About 'Conversion Therapy' Ban, Separation Of Powers Heard By Wisconsin Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over whether a Republican-controlled legislative committee’s rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional.

The challenge comes amid the national battle over LGBTQ+ rights. It is also part of a broader effort by the Democratic governor, who has vetoed Republican bills targeting transgender high school athletes, to rein in the power of the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Here are things to know about the case:

Wisconsin Counties Weigh Endorsements For Broadband Internet Expansion Projects

At its Thursday evening special meeting, the Iowa County Board will join many of its fellow county governments across the state in considering backing several proposals for broadband internet expansion.

The six plans come from different internet service providers vying for a share of the $1 billion in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding allocated to Wisconsin by the National Telecommunications and Administration. The money is part of a broader $42.45 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

$1 Million In Wisconsin Fast Forward Technical Education Equipment Training Grants Available To Wisconsin School Districts

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced that about $1 million in expanded Wisconsin Fast Forward funding is available to Wisconsin school districts to help train students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and construction, filling critical workforce needs.

Grant amounts will range from $5,000 to $100,000 and will be available for school districts that demonstrate need for funding to prepare students to strengthen Wisconsin's future skilled workforce. These funds will support projects in advanced manufacturing or construction fields, including machining and controls, biotechnology, robotics, healthcare and medicine, and warehousing.

End Of An Era: Hourly Workers At Leinenkugel’s Brewery In Chippewa Falls Finish Their Final Shift

Since 1867, generations of workers have been crafting Leinenkugel’s beer at a historic brewery in Chippewa Falls. On Thursday afternoon, the last of them clocked out from their final shift.

Their work over, they walked across a bridge to the Leinie Lodge for a pint.

The impending closure of the Leinenkugel’s brewery was announced in November by Molson Coors, which now owns the brand. It came as a surprise to the 56 workers losing their jobs.