Morning Headlines - Monday, July 8, 2024 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Boeing Agrees To Plead Guilty To Defrauding The FAA

Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States for its role in two fatal 737 Max crashes the Justice Department said in a court filing Sunday evening. It represents yet another black eye for the company after a series of embarrassing safety blunders, but the agreement avoids what could have been more serious consequences.

It will pay up to $487 million in fines — a fraction of the $24.8 billion that families of crash victims wanted the aircraft maker to pay. The families of victims of two fatal crashes of the 737 Max oppose the deal, the department said.

Paramount Global To Merge With Skydance Media

Paramount Global parent National Amusements and Skydance Media have agreed to merge less than a month after the sides abruptly ended deal talks.

Paramount, owner of Paramount Pictures movie and television studios, the CBS television network and CBS News, announced in a news release late Sunday that it is combining with Skydance, an entertainment business founded by David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Paramount also owns the Paramount+ streaming service, Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and other media brands.

Warmest June On Record Hits Earth, Boosting Odds Of Warmest Year

June was the warmest such month on record worldwide, according to figures released Monday, extending a heat streak even longer.

The monthly milestone increases the odds that 2024 will eclipse 2023 as the warmest year on record, and adds to the consecutive months that exceeded the crucial 1.5°C threshold in the Paris Agreement.

The global average temperature for the past 12 months, from July 2023 to June 2024, came in as the highest on record, at 1.64°C (2.95°F) above the pre-industrial average.

Americans Are Split Over Whether Trump Should Face Prison In The Hush Money Case

Americans are about evenly split on whether former President Donald Trump should face prison time for his recent felony conviction on hush money charges, according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Among U.S. adults, 48% say the former president and presumptive Republican nominee should serve time behind bars, and 50% say he should not. About 8 in 10 Democrats think Trump should face prison time, while independents are divided. About half, 49%, of independents say he should, and 46% say he should not.

More Senior Democrats Privately Say Biden Should Step Aside

Several more senior members of President Joe Biden's Democratic party have privately joined calls for him to hand over his candidacy for November's election to another candidate, US media report.

During a group call with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, four congressmen were explicit in urging Mr Biden to step aside, according to outlets including the BBC's US partner CBS News.

The quartet were joined by others who voiced concerns about Mr Biden's fitness for office after a recent stumbling debate performance, but stopped short of asking for the president to clear the way, CBS added.

Biden In Madison Declares He’s Staying In The Race Following Concerns Over Debate Performance

President Joe Biden at a Madison rally Friday tried to shut down speculation he would leave the presidential race and dismissed concerns about his age after a heavily criticized debate last week.

Biden spoke this afternoon at the Sherman Middle School — the 12th Wisconsin visit of his presidency. The visit comes amidst Dems’ discomfort over Biden’s poor debate performance and mounting questions about the 81-year-old’s fitness to be the party’s nominee.

Too Hot To Sleep? New Report Says Climate Change Causing More Hot Nights In Wisconsin

As the world heats up, a recent report finds summer nights are warming more than days across the globe — and even cooler states like Wisconsin are seeing more tropical nights.

The report from Climate Central, an independent group of scientists, examined the number of days where the lowest nighttime temperatures exceeded 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit) through the lens of global warming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping room temperatures around 68 degrees for a good night’s rest.

'We Don't Know What The Future Holds': Sen. Tammy Baldwin Holds Campaign Event, Addresses Concerns Over President Biden

Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin made her final stop of her 'Fired Up for Tammy' campaign tour Sunday.

During her event, Baldwin focused less on the presidential race and more on her opponent Eric Hovde. She said Hovde is looking to repeal the affordable care act and trying to walk back his stance on abortion. Baldwin said Hovde is "bankrolling his campaign."

Governor Tony Evers Proclaims July 7-13 Wisconsin Women In Conservation Week

Governor Tony Evers proclaimed July 7-13 Wisconsin Women in Conservation Week.

According to a press release, women-owned and managed land has risen in Wisconsin. The release also referenced the historic contributions of women conservation professionals and educators.

This is the fourth year in a row that a coalition of agriculture and conservation organizations will commemorate the week with Conservation Educator Happy Hours across the state.

Wisconsin Actor Cast In Star-Studded New Series On MGM+

A new mystery series will showcase Wisconsinite Paulina Lule in one of their biggest roles to-date. Lule stars opposite actor Grantham Coleman as the daughter-in-law of a judge played by Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker.

In an interview with WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” Lule described their character as an ambitious, smart, funny and sometimes duplicitous lawyer.

“I think she’s so interesting and complex,” Lule said of their character Kimmer Madison-Garland. “People are going to love her or they’re going to hate her.”