Morning Headlines - Thursday, July 31, 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

Canada Says It Will Recognize Palestine As A State, Joining The U.K. And France

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will recognize Palestine as a state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, joining the United Kingdom and France.

"The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in co-ordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life," Carney said in a statement Wednesday.

Canada has had a long-standing position supporting the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict. Carney said Wednesday that prospects of a two-state solution "have been steadily and gravely eroded."

Minimal U.S. Effects From Tsunami Don't Mean The Forecast Was Inaccurate

The magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula sent a wave of water racing at the speed of a jetliner toward Hawaii, California and Washington state, spurring warnings and alarm overnight Wednesday.

But when the tsunami waves arrived, they didn’t cause devastation or deaths in the United States, and the inundation might not have appeared threatening in some locations where warnings were issued.

Fed Holds Rates Steady But Sees First Double Dissent In Three Decades

The Federal Reserve kept short-term interest rates at a level of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent on Wednesday, but the vote saw the first double dissent from Fed board officials in more than 30 years.

Nine members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) agreed to keep rates where they are.

But Fed Vice Chair of Supervision Michelle Bowman and Gov. Christopher Waller — who are both in the running for President Trump’s nomination to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell — voted to lower them, following an immense pressure campaign from the president.

Kamala Harris Won’t Run For California Governor, Clearing Way For 2026 Democratic Field

Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she’s not running to be California’s next governor in 2026, when Gov. Gavin Newsom is termed out.

Her decision clears the field for the other prominent Democrats already in the race.

MLB Is Tapping Into NASCAR To Help Grow Baseball

Major League Baseball is taking America’s pastime to an iconic NASCAR track, and the game is set to top league attendance records.

On Saturday, MLB will play its first-ever game in Tennessee as part of the MLB Speedway Classic, where the Atlanta Braves will face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway.

It will mark the first time a professional baseball game has ever been played at a professional race car track, and MLB will incorporate NASCAR-themed elements throughout the event.

Wisconsin Headlines

US DOJ Says Case Against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan Should Move Forward

Earlier this month, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph sided with prosecutor by recommending that Adelman deny Dugan’s motion to toss the case. In her recommendation, Joseph rejected the defense’s understanding of judicial immunity, and said that questions about whether Dugan broke the law should be decided via trial.

In a brief filed Tuesday, federal prosecutors called Joseph’s conclusions “well-reasoned” and accused Dugan’s attorneys of using “ad hoc carveouts” to try and scrap the charges against their client.

In their arguments, prosecutors once again asserted that Dugan broke the law. They contended that, while judicial immunity protects judges from civil liability, it doesn’t protect judges who are accused of criminal violations.

Kaul Joins Two More Lawsuits Against Federal Government

Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined two multistate lawsuits, including one challenging the USDA’s demand that states provide information about food stamp recipients or risk losing federal funding.

The other lawsuit seeks to block a provision in Republicans’ reconciliation law to cut off Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood services. Kaul has joined 28 lawsuits against the Trump administration.

Rep. Tony Wied Speaking Out About Alleged Threats Made By Brown County Democratic Party Staff Member

Congressman Tony Wied is speaking out over alleged threats made against him and his office by a staff member of the Democratic Party of Brown County.

According to a report filed with Capitol police, the threats were made by phone in late April, and again by email at the beginning of May.

According to Wied’s office, this person called on the phone back in April, saying that the congressman “should be given the death penalty,” and that the “congressman deserves the death penalty as well as anyone who is involved in his office.”

Wisconsin Students To Pay Less At University Of Northern Iowa After Board Approves New Rate

Wisconsin students will pay less to attend the University of Northern Iowa.

The Board of Regents approved the "Neighboring State Rate" Wednesday, so starting this fall, Wisconsin and Iowa students will pay the same in-state tuition.

Tuition and fees for in-state students and new students from the six states bordering Iowa will be $10,201 for the 2025-26 academic year. Families taking advantage of UNI's Neighboring State Rate will save more than $12,000 annually compared to non-resident tuition.

Schoemann Excited About “Contrast” Vs. Dems In Governor’s Race

Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann has made it clear that he’s running for governor no matter who else is in the race. But he says he’s happy now that Gov. Evers is out of the running.

“I saw a great contrast between Tony Evers and I. Not just visually, but also the track record of my time as county executive and his as governor,” Schoemann told News Talk 1130 WISN’s Jay Weber. “But let's be honest, the list of candidates formulated on their side is going to be more extreme.”

Schoemann has spent this early part of the 2026 campaign for governor touting his fiscal management of Washington County government, where he’s been the county exec since 2020.