Morning Headlines - Monday, April 21, 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

Pope Francis, A Towering Figure On The World Stage, Dies At 88

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88.

Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church," said Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.

Pete Hegseth Shared Details Of Yemen Strike In Another Signal Chat Including His Wife And Brother, Sources Say

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared details about impending U.S. airstrikes in Yemen with a private Signal group that included his wife, brother and personal attorney, according to sources familiar with the messages.

The messages, sent on March 15, included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets tasked with striking Houthi targets, the sources said. The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar operational details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, sparking widespread concern over how senior officials handle sensitive military information.

The Top 10 Democratic Contenders For 2028

A cardinal rule of American politics: It’s never too early to start thinking about the next election.

Some Democrats are already making moves that have stoked 2028 speculation, from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcasts to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (N.Y.) recent series of rallies alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

It’s almost three years before the first primaries will be held, but here are The Hill’s initial rankings of the 2028 Democratic contenders.

Electing A New Pope: What Happens Next And What Is A Papal Conclave?

The process by which a new pope is elected has undergone numerous changes in the nearly two millennia that the Catholic Church has existed, with the current procedure a combination of ancient traditions and modern updates as recent as 2013, reflecting changes instituted by Pope Benedict XVI. Even so, the essential ritual has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Pope Francis' death sets into motion a series of formalized rites and observances that occur during what is called the interregnum, which begins upon the pontiff's passing and ends with the election of his successor. The period of time during which the papacy is vacant is known as the sede vacante, Latin for "vacant seat."

Earl Grey Tea Bread Crowned Britain's Best Loaf

A brioche bread infused with lemon and Earl Grey tea has been crowned Britain's best loaf.

The bread won top spot in the Britain's Best Loaf competition, run by trade magazine British Baker, and also won in the Innovation category.

Judges said the loaf - which beat 200 others to the prize - impressed them with its "unique flavour profile" featuring Earl Grey tea and limoncello-soaked candied lemon peel, combined with lemon curd and juice for a "zesty, aromatic finish".

Wisconsin Headlines

The Real Owners Of ATC

Not once, not twice, but three times have the people of Wisconsin rejected the idea of a Right of First Refusal law. Each time it's been introduced it has either failed to pass in the legislature or has died in committee. But that hasn't stopped Wisconsin's utilities from introducing it a fourth time in the form of the Wisconsin Energy Reform Act (AB174).

Like a zombie rising from the grave or Dracula's predictable return from hell, Right of First Refusal simply will not die.

And why would it? After all, Wisconsin's largest transmission company, ATC, may be owned by "state-regulat

Marathon County Woman Sentenced To 6 Years For Conspiring To Traffic Methamphetamine

Mercadys A. Perkins, 32, Weston, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 6 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Perkins pleaded guilty to this charge on January 21, 2025.

In early 2024, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a group of individuals who were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in the Marathon County area. Perkins was identified as a distributor for the group.

Eau Claire Man Sentenced To 110 Months For Methamphetamine Trafficking

Corey Hobbs, 39, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 110 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Hobbs pleaded guilty to this charge on January 7, 2025.

In November and December 2023, Hobbs sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on three occasions. During the largest buy on December 6, 2023, Hobbs sold 261.09 grams of methamphetamine to the informant. Officers arrested Hobbs on December 31, 2023, and when they searched him and his vehicle, they found $10,610 in cash.

Green Bay Prepares To Host An Offseason Sports Spectacle With The 2025 NFL Draft

Corey Behnke was a 7-year-old attending a Green Bay Packers preseason game with his grandfather when he pointed to the homes across the street from Lambeau Field and vowed to live there eventually.

Now he has one of the best spots to watch as the NFL’s greatest offseason spectacle takes shape.

The NFL draft’s annual pilgrimage to cities across the league is arriving in Green Bay with all the pageantry that comes from operating in the home of the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise.

Brewers Shatter 33-Year-Old Franchise Record For Stolen Bases In A Game

The Milwaukee Brewers broke a 33-year-old franchise record for stolen bases in a game Sunday and they needed only four innings.

Milwaukee stole nine bases through the first four innings against the Athletics. The Brewers had stolen eight bases in a 7-2 victory over the Toronto on Aug. 29, 1992.

Six of Sunday's steals occurred in the first inning. The Elias Sports Bureau said those were the most stolen bases by a team in an inning since the expansion era started in 1961.