Morning Headlines - Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Trump Will Be In NY For The Hush Money Trial While The Supreme Court Hears His Immunity Case In DC

A reluctant Donald Trump will be back in a New York City courtroom Thursday as his hush money trial resumes at the same time that the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Washington over whether he should be immune from prosecution for actions he took during his time as president.

Jurors will hear more witness testimony from a veteran tabloid publisher, and Trump faces a looming decision over whether he violated a gag order imposed by the judge.

U.S. Birth Rate Drops To Record Low, Ending Pandemic Uptick

The pace of babies born each year in the U.S. has slowed to a new record low, according to an analysis of 2023 birth certificate data published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last year's slowdown marks an official end to the uptick in new babies that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 3,591,328 babies were born in the U.S. in 2023, down 2% from the 3,667,758 born in 2022.

In Tight Presidential Race, Voters Are Broadly Critical Of Both Biden And Trump

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, American voters face a similar set of choices as they did four years ago – and many are not happy about it.

With the election still more than six months away, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that the presidential race is virtually tied: 49% of registered voters favor Donald Trump or lean toward voting for him, while 48% support or lean toward Joe Biden.

Exclusive Poll: America Warms To Mass Deportations

Half of Americans — including 42% of Democrats — say they'd support mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, according to a new Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll. And 30% of Democrats — as well as 46% of Republicans — now say they'd end birthright citizenship, something guaranteed under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

Americans are open to former President Trump's harshest immigration plans, spurred on by a record surge of illegal border crossings and a relentless messaging war waged by Republicans.

GOP Critics Vow No More US Aid For Ukraine

Conservative skeptics of funding the war in Ukraine predict it will be the last major U.S. aid package for Kyiv that passes.

The GOP critics of the package acknowledge that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) won this round of the debate by pushing $61 billion for Ukraine through Congress.

But they argue that if President Biden comes back with another request, he’ll go away empty-handed.

Wisconsin Headlines

Grand Jury Returns Three Indictments

A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned three indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Wisconsin Man Convicted Of Laundering Proceeds Of Business Email Compromise Fraud Schemes

The evidence presented at trial established that between May 2018 and approximately July 2019, Lee and his co-conspirators laundered over $1.2 million, which were proceeds of four business email compromise (“BEC”) schemes. A BEC scheme is a form of cybercrime in which a fraudster uses false and misleading emails to fraudulently induce a victim to transfer funds to a bank account controlled by the fraudster and the fraudster’s accomplices.

March Local Employment And Unemployment Data Released

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates of employment and unemployment statistics for metropolitan areas, major cities, and counties in Wisconsin for March 2024.

Governor Considers Violent Crime Pardon As Judge Objects

A proposed pardon in a violent crime case waits for Governor Evers' consideration as a prominent judge opposes approval of the request.

In opposition is Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, who's a former state attorney general and current candidate for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Court records show Ricky Witek, 61, of West Bend submitted his pardon application in 2022.

Collector’s Obsession: Wisconsin Man Amasses 138,000 Copies Of One Magic: The Gathering Card

In the back of a silver Chevy Traverse sits one of the most unique collections in Wisconsin.

“So I’ve got about 18,000 of those all together.”

What started as a one-off challenge, transformed into a decades-long passion.