Morning Headlines - Monday, May 29, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Key Questions And Takeaways From The Debt Ceiling Deal

After months of back and forth, House Republicans and the White House this weekend unveiled a deal on raising the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing limit while implementing some caps on government spending and other policy changes.

The legislation, which was released publicly on Sunday, will need to be approved by Congress within days to avert a historic default that could begin as soon as June 5, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said.

Otherwise the U.S. will be unable to pay all of its bills -- sowing unprecedented economic turmoil, including lost jobs and major hits to stock markets.

President Joe Biden has vowed to sign the debt deal if it passes the House and Senate. A House vote is slated for Wednesday.

Below are key takeaways and questions about the debt and spending bill.

Biden, McCarthy Face Potential Revolt Over Debt Ceiling Deal

Neither the right flank of the Republican party nor some Democrats are happy with the deal that President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) struck to raise the nation’s debt limit alongside some policy reforms and spending clawbacks.

In one of the most colorful criticisms of the agreement, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) characterized it as a “turd-sandwich” on Sunday morning, after vowing in another tweet that he would try to stop the expected bill from making it out of the lower chamber.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the House Progressive Caucus, signaled on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the White House is likely to face some trouble drawing support from her caucus, which includes over 100 members in a narrowly-divided chamber.

President Recep Erdogan Re-Elected For Unprecedented Third Term As Turkey’s President

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday won re-election, surviving the toughest test of his two-decade and increasingly hardline rule.

The news was greeted by a slew of international congratulations. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the victory was the result of Erdoğan's work supporting Turkey's "sovereignty and pursue an independent foreign policy.”

Although Turkey is a NATO ally, under Erdoğan, 69, the country of 84 million has grown closer to Russia and slipped further toward authoritarianism. The results will have ramifications outside Turkey, which enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

State Farm Will No Longer Accept Applications For Homeowners Insurance In California, Citing Wildfire Risk

One of the largest insurance agencies in the country will no longer accept applications for home and business insurance in California due to wildfire risks and the cost of rebuilding.

State Farm has ceased new applications, including all business and personal lines property and casualty insurance, starting Saturday, the company announced in a press release.

The insurance agency cited "historic increases in construction costs outpacing inflation, rapidly growing catastrophe exposure, and a challenging reinsurance market" for its decision.

Today Is Memorial Day

Memorial Day on May 29 conjures images of hamburgers, hot dogs, swimming pools, and summertime for many Americans. But the last Monday in May serves, most importantly, as a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in somber American history and tradition. The day actually began as “Decoration Day,” following the Civil War, when mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.

Yes, Memorial Day has also come to signify the “unofficial” start of summer, but let’s remember the heroes who made it all possible.

Wisconsin Headlines

Remembering Wisconsin’s Losses On This Memorial Day

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regardless of how history weighs in on this campaign, it is an undeniable fact that Operation Iraqi Freedom transformed the National Guard from a strategic combat reserve into a primary combat reserve. In simple terms, the National Guard was called often and repeatedly to support missions in Iraq and the surrounding region. And the National Guard answered the call with honor, courage and sacrifice.

Lawmakers Renew Push To Grant Licenses, Independence To Advanced Practice Nurses

In the world of health care, titles matter, and a dispute over how to classify nurses with advanced degrees in Wisconsin has many of the state's health care groups at odds.

Groups representing nurses are making another push to create a new license for advanced practice registered nurses who perform many of the same services as physicians in Wisconsin.

Doctors' groups remain opposed but say this could be the year the two sides agree to a compromise.

The back-and-forth is not new in Wisconsin. Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a similar bill last session, citing a lack of agreement in Wisconsin's medical community. But nurses say the debate has taken on added urgency as a wave of physician retirements and an aging population has led to shortages of care, particularly in rural areas.

Grothman: Biden Only Appointed 5 ‘White Guys’ To Federal Bench

A Wisconsin congressman says President Joe Biden hasn’t named enough white men to the federal judiciary. Sixth District Republican Glenn Grothman cited a study of Biden’s 97 appointments, in wide ranging comments about affirmative action on the House floor.

“Of the 97 federal judges I was expecting, maybe 25 or 30 were white guys. Because I know President Biden wasn’t heavy on appointing more white guys. Five of the 97 judges were white guys of those two were gay. So, almost impossible for a white guy who’s not gay to get appointed here.”

DNR Experts Warn Of A Bad Spongy Moth Summer

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns the public that the next two months could bring the worst spongy moth caterpillar outbreak in more than a decade.

Invasive spongy moth caterpillars, formerly known as gypsy moth, strip trees of their leaves, potentially killing high-value trees. They prefer to feed on oak, birch, crabapple, aspen and willow leaves but will also feed on many other tree and shrub species.

Southern Wisconsin and parts of the north are already in a high-population outbreak that is predicted to continue and spread.

Texas To Hire Paul Chryst As Analyst: Ex-Wisconsin Coach To Join Steve Sarkisian's Staff, Per Reports

Former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst will join Texas' staff as an offensive analyst, according to multiple reports. He will hold the title of special assistant to the head coach, a similar role that former TCU coach Gary Patterson served in Austin last season.

Chryst was highly successful at Wisconsin, winning three Big Ten West titles and posting an 86-45 record in seven-plus seasons. The former Badgers quarterback won Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2016 and 2017 with the program posting a combined 24-4 record in that span. However, Chryst was let go after the Badgers limped to a 2-3 start in 2022.