Morning Headlines - Monday, Mar. 20, 2023 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Why A Trump Indictment Would Have Huge Political And National Implications

America’s political and legal institutions are bracing for their next extreme test posed by former President Donald Trump.

Trump’s prediction on Saturday that he could be arrested this week – and his attempt to ignite a preemptive backlash – made what had been the theoretical prospect of an ex-president and 2024 candidate being criminally charged appear much more real. And it signaled America is headed for an even more politically divisive ordeal that will test his influence over the GOP.

The property developer, ex-reality TV star and former commander in chief faces multiple investigations after seeking to overturn the 2020 election and over his handling of classified documents after leaving office. But his most immediate exposure may be in a case over an alleged hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

McCarthy Calls For No Protests Or Violence Over Potential Trump Arrest

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sought to tamp down former President Trump’s call for protests in response to a possible arrest of the president in connection to a Manhattan District Attorney investigation.

“I don’t think people should protest this stuff,” McCarthy said in a press conference at the House GOP issues retreat on Sunday when asked about Trump’s statement.

McCarthy suggested that Trump was calling for others to “educate people about what’s going on.”

“He’s not talking in a harmful way,” McCarthy said. “Nobody should harm one another … And this is why you should really make law equal because if that was the case, nothing would happen.”

“If was this to happen, we want calmness out there,” McCarthy said, calling for no “violence or harm.”

Newsom Under Pressure To Take Executive Action On Reparations If California Legislature Doesn't Act

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing increased pressure to use his authority to unilaterally enact proposals that would dole out billions of dollars to Black residents in reparations as a way to make amends for slavery if the state legislature doesn't act.

The California Reparations Task Force, which was created by state legislation in 2020, is considering a proposal to give just under $360,000 per person to approximately 1.8 million Black Californians who had an ancestor enslaved in the U.S., putting the total cost of the program at about $640 billion.

The task force's final recommendations for reparations will be submitted to the California Legislature, which will then decide whether to implement the measures and send them to Newsom's desk to be signed into law.

Kim Jong-Un Orders His Troops To Prepare For 'Immediate And Overwhelming Nuclear Counterattack' Against 'Enemies'

Kim Jong-un has ordered his troops to prepare for an 'immediate and overwhelming' nuclear counterattack against his enemies - as he accused the US of holding aggressive military drills with South Korea.

He warned that North Korea was ready to launch just hours after commanding his own 'guided' military exercises - which included firing a ballistic missile with a mock nuclear warhead.

Jong-un said the exercises improved the military's actual war capability and highlighted the need to ensure its readiness posture for any imminent nuclear warfare the country may need to unfurl against its enemies.

Report: People Happier During Pandemic Due To Kindness

COVID-19 has killed millions and caused widespread disruptions to people's lives and global economies — but a major new study finds people are slightly happier than before the pandemic began.

The 10th annual report, published Monday to coincide with the International Day of Happiness, surveyed over 100,000 and found that Finland was the happiest country for the sixth consecutive year, while Afghanistan was the least happy, leaving the Taliban-controlled nation ranking last at No. 137. The U.S. was ranked the 15th happiest nation.

Meanwhile, the report found global misery has declined slightly during the pandemic.

Wisconsin Upsets Ohio State To Win NCAA Women's Hockey Title

Wisconsin upset No. 1 seed Ohio State in the NCAA hockey national title game in Duluth, Minnesota, on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh championship at the Women's Frozen Four with a 1-0 victory.

Freshman forward Kirsten Simms' first-period goal stood up as the game winner thanks to a 31-save performance from redshirt senior goalie Cami Kronish.

The Badgers' seventh national title broke a tie with Minnesota for the most ever by a women's hockey program in the Frozen Four. Coach Mark Johnson has been behind the Badgers' bench for 19 years.

Wisconsin Driver With 16 OAR Convictions Arrested, Caught Going 100+ Mph In A 55

Deputies in southeast Wisconsin arrested a Kenosha man who has 16 prior Operating After Revocation (OAR) convictions for driving 101 mph in a 55 mph zone.

According to a release from the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, Dean W. Burns had a revoked driver’s license due to prior OAR convictions and multiple other traffic offenses.

Deputies also noted that Burns, a 35-year-old from Kenosha, has not had a valid driver’s license since 2015 and “has an extensive history of not paying fines from his citations.”

Death Investigation In Hortonville, Wis.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating a death in Hortonville, Wis. that occurred on the morning of Saturday, March 18, 2023.

At approximately 11:24 a.m., officers from Hortonville Police Department were dispatched to a house on the 200 block of Spruce Street in Hortonville, Wis. for a report of two unresponsive individuals. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased adult female and an adult male with serious injuries. Officers immediately began life saving measures and the male was taken to a local hospital.

There is no danger to the public at this time.

New Independent Expenditures Push Supreme Court Spending To Nearly $30 Million

A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund put another $727,000 into the state Supreme Court race over the last three days through mail and digital ads, helping push post-primary spending past the $20 million mark.

And that has the race knocking on the door of $30 million spent overall, according to a WisPolitics.com tally.

The Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund outlay was one of three big new investments in the race this week, coming on the heels of liberal Janet Protasiewicz adding another $1.2 million to her TV buy, according to her campaign.

Fair Courts America, meanwhile, earlier this week added $459,000 in radio knocking Protasiewicz. WisPoiltics.com reported on that ad earlier this week.

The other large outlays reported to the Ethics Commission this week include:

*Power to the Polls Action Fund reporting $404,503, most of it for canvassing costs to support Protasiewicz.

*Americans for Prosperity is now up to $316,285 in expenditures for canvassing and mail pieces to support conservative Daniel Kelly.

*Wisconsin Family Action reported $129,500 for digital ads to support Kelly.

UW System Budget Plan Would Drive Up Student Costs As Much As 5.4%

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman’s plan to increase tuition, fees and room and board costs next year would drive up undergraduate student expenses as much as 5.4% next year, according to an analysis released March 17.

Rothman announced earlier in March that he would ask the Board of Regents for a 5% tuition increase. The new analysis indicates his plan also includes raising undergraduate student fees and room and board costs as well as increasing costs for specific programs and raising graduate students’ tuition.